good morning, triple threat. good morning, triple threat -- hurricane igor rapidly strengthens in a a good morning. triple threat. igor has rapidly strengthened into a dangerous category 4 storm and is expected to become category 5 today. two more systems are threatening to intensifying as well. al is on the case. nbc news exclusive. a 15-year-old girl relearning colors and the alphabet six months after being viciously beaten outside her school. this morning we'll hear from her. and lady gaga cleans up at the mtv video awards and lindsay lohan shows up to poke fun at herself. >> get it together!

you're a mess. do you think anyone wants to work with a drunk take it from me. they don't. >> it's her performance that has people talking today, monday, september 13. >> from nbc news, this is "today." with matt lauer and meredith vieira, live from studio 1 a in rockefeller plaza. >> welcome to "today" on this monday morning. >> i'm carl quintanilla in for matt today. hurricane igor now threatening to become the first category 5 hurricane in three years. >> right behind it is julia, already the tenth named storm of the season. that is more than we had all of last year. when we get to al's track of the storms, that's straight ahead. also new details on the deadly natural gas explosion in california that destroyed dozens of homes. residents have been allowed to return for the first time and the company that owns the pipeline is now ordered to survey all of its natural gas

lines in the state. we'll have the latest in the live report just ahead. >> plus, as parents you want to believe our kids pay attention when we warn them about being safe when we can't be there, but we're not sure if they're actually listening. >> coming up an under cover camera investigation reveals what teens do when they think they are alone. some call it a parent's dream, being a fly on the wall. first right to the looming threats in the atlantic including hurricane igor. al roker is upstairs with the very latest. good morning to you. busy morning. >> yes it is, meredith. we have three systems to talk about. first of all igor right now 940 miles east of the leeward islands, 150-mile-per-hour winds, we expect it to be a category 5 by around 11:00 this morning. category 4 right now moving west at 13. we've also got julia 30 miles south-southwest of the southern most cape verde islands, winds at 40 miles per hour moving north-northwest at 13 miles per hour. then we've got an area in the tropics. this really has a chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over

the next 48 hours. both of the big storms, igor and julia, look like right now their paths are going to keep them away from the eastern u.s., but bermuda will probably be in the sites of igor and most likely julia won't affect anything. we can't rule out the eastern coast being affected by igor. we'll have more a little bit later. >> a lot to watch. thanks, al. let's check some of the morning's other top stories. ann curry is at the news desk. good morning, ann. >> good morning, everybody. in the news over the weekend indications that the on again, off again iran release of american hiker sarah shourd is on again. on sunday the judiciary said she can be released on $500,000 bail after being held for more than a year. we're following developments this morning. where do things stand? >> reporter: good morning, ann. right now sarah shourd is still in custody. her lawyer says they are waiting for the $500,000 bail to be cleared and then he expects she will be released. now, under the conditions of bail, she is allowed to leave

iran but her trial on charges of espionage is going forward. along with the trial of the two other u.s. hikers arrested with her in 2009. over the weekend u.s. officials said they were cautiously optimistic that shourd would be released but pointed out that internal power struggles in the country kept the hiker in jail when she was supposed to be let go on saturday, so there are no real guarantees. ann? >> all right. thank you so much. another development in the swirling controversy over that proposed mosque and islamic center near ground zero. the imam behind the project is not backing down, vowing again that the plan will move forward. nbc's ron allen has more now from lower manhattan. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, ann. the site of the proposed islamic center and mosque is down that street about 40 or 50 yards or so. behind me about two blocks from here you can see the edge of ground zero. the distance is about 250 yards. that's too close for opponents of the plan. the muslim cleric trying to make it happen holds a rare press

conference today. lately he has been saying the project must go forward. during an emotional weekend when the nation honored the heroes of september 11, thousands of protesters for and against the islamic center, also tried to make their voices heard. the imam behind the project, what he calls a 13-story community center with a prayer space, now says moving further away from ground zero would help extremists recruit terrorists and put americans abroad at risk. >> in recent days some people have asked, is there really a need for an islamic community center in lower manhattan? is it worth all this firestorm? the answer, ladies and gentlemen, is a categorical yes. >> reporter: however, his critics say talking about possible violence undermines the imam's claim that he is a man of

peace. >> he seems by his actions to be more interested in confrontation than in healing. >> reporter: meanwhile, another potentially explosive confrontation was avoided when that pastor in florida announced on "today" that he would not burn muslim holy books to mark 9/11. >> we will definitely not burn the koran, no. >> reporter: he says his point was made, that islam has a radical element. the pastor was also facing over 100 death threats. he's been trying to hold a meeting with imam rauf but so far that has not happened. the imam says he will continue reaching out to september 11 families, religious leaders, civic leaders here and across the nation trying to make the case for the islamic center. ann? >> all right. ron allen this morning, thanks. the alleged leader of a major drug cartel is in custody this morning in mexico. mexican marines captured him on sunday. known assel gra el

sunday. known assel gra grande he is o mexico's most wanted fugitives. a wildfire near loveland, colorado burned hundreds of acres and one home on sunday and is about 35 miles from boulder the scene of the even bigger fire last week that destroyed some, more than, rather, 160 homes. when it comes to candy bars there is a fun size and then there is this. a five-ton chocolate bar earned the taste of world record glory this morning for a candy company in armenia, but that bar will not last long because the public gets to dig in next month to celebrate the company's tenth anniversary. see, dreams do come true. it is now 7:07. back to meredith and carl. wow. i'll just have a small piece. one of those squares is fine. what's going on, mr. roker, as if we don't know already. >> in the lower 48 things are fairly quiet. there is a chance of showers, strong storms later today in the northeast and in new england. we've also got some wet weather in the mid section of the country as well. out west is going to be

gorgeous, nice and quiet. portland, oregon 78 and sunshine today. 93 in dallas, texas. look for a high of 84 in our here's a live look over oakland with cloud cover and for the afternoon should see partly cloudy skies. 66 for oakland and san jose 75. cooler and san francisco westward up highs near 60. in the seven-day forecast, temperatures should climb up to the mid- to upper 80s. 60s and 70s on the coast. for the second half of the week, more clouds for the weekend and north bay showers late on sunday. >> and that's your latest weather, carl. >> al, thanks. now to politics and the mid term showdown now less than two months away. right now the most heated talk on the campaign trail is between the white house and the republican who could become the next speaker of the house, congressman john boehner.

nbc's savannah guthrie is at the white house with details. good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you, carl. the war of words escalated over the weekend with the white house spokesman robert gibbs and congressman boehner trading barbs on twitter. the white house has been looking to have a debate with republicans and in john boehner they think they have a good target. the president spent a somber weekend marking the anniversary of 9/11. this week it will be back to politics as his party tries to hang on to its power with the crucial, mid term elections now less than two months away. on sunday, his senior adviser came out swinging, targeting john boehner, the man poised to become speaker if republicans win control of the house. >> he wants to cancel the obama tax cuts that were part of the recovery act for the middle class and raise taxes on 110 million families. >> reporter: the white house has made a calculated decision to go after boehner, trying to make the ten-term ohio congressman

the new face of the republican party. after the "new york times" published a story sunday alleging boehner is cozy with lobbyists press secretary robert gibbs posted about it on twitter four times even taking a shot at boehner's trademark tan. on wednesday the president invoked the congressman's name eight times in a speech in cleveland. >> mr. boehner, mr. boehner, mr. boehner, mr. boehner, mr. boehner, mr. boehner, mr. boehner. >> reporter: the very place boehner had given a speech two weeks before, slamming the president's economic plans. >> there were no new ideas. there was just the same philosophy that we had already tried during the decade that they were in power. >> reporter: on sunday the republican leader fired back. >> we have offered him new ideas for the last 20 months and speaking of new, i wonder what's new about more stimulus spending, more taxes, more uncertainty for american small businesses? >> reporter: elected in 1990,

boehner has become one of the most outspoken members of the republican party, but outside washington, he is still relatively unknown. the white house is looking to change that. >> so what the white house is trying to do here is put a face on what has been a somewhat abstract argument by elevating boehner you give him more visibility and you put him in a more central role on the stage. >> reporter: well, congress comes back this week and a key issue is whether to extend the bush tax cuts. now, the president wants to extend them, make them permanent for the middle class but not the wealthiest of americans. republicans including congressman boehner would like to see them extended for everyone, including the wealthiest americans, but boehner did seem to open up a little bit of wiggle room this weekend, saying he could support a tax cut just for the middle class if that's the best deal he can get. meredith? >> all right. savannah guthrie, thank you very much. robert gibbs, white house press secretary, good morning to you. >> good morning to you. >> how are you? >> i'm great. >> savannah did say congressman bain derr say he will vote for

the president's plan to extend tax cuts to just middle class earners if he has to. it certainly sounds like he is trying to take a bipartisan approach here. do you welcome it or are you suspicious of it? >> we would certainly welcome it. the president just outlined we shouldn't hold the middle class hostage and ought to continue the tax cuts that have been in place during tough economic times so if congressman boehner wants to do that i think it would certainly be a good thing and a bipartisan thing. we'll see whether what we get is what congressman boehner said, what his spokesman said, and whole host of things, but certainly it sounded to us yesterday like there was a willingness by the -- by congressman boehner to go to the president's position of keeping middle class tax relief in place. >> so why all these attacks on boehner, the president invokes his name eight times in one speech, you tweet about him over the weekend, the dnc says it is running an antiboehner ad beginning tomorrow. there's also an antiboehner website in the works.

what's behind the strategy here? >> well, look. this isn't directed at the individual. it's directed at the ideas and directed at the values. >> sure it's directed at the individual. you name him repeatedly. >> well, meredith, that's his name. it would be hard to just direct it to somebody out in the ether. but let's understand the "new york times" wrote a very long story about his cozy relationship with lobbyists. he outlines an economic philosophy that sounds a lot like we had for eight years that got us into this mess. i think the american people want to know who would be in charge of the house, who's leading the republicans in this election season, and i would think that congressman boehner would welcome that. >> and you think that he represents more of the same if boehner became the leader of the house, that he represents the old bush policies? >> i think he represents the eight years that got us into this mess. cozy with lobbyists, tax cuts for the wealthy, you know, letting big corporations and wall street decide what's best for the american people. we tried that, meredith. it didn't work. it failed miserably.

millions of people are out of work because of those ideas, and certainly in this election season i think the american people are not going to want to go back to what congressman boehner advocated for those many years. >> and, yet, mr. gibbs, if you look at a majority of independent voters out there, they're not going back and thinking about bush policies. they're thinking about the past 20 months and obama policies and they don't like what they see, so how is he going to change their minds with his strategy? >> well, look. i think most of all we've got to put in front of the american people and independent voters a choice. look, most of those polls have focused on what the president has done and i think the conversation has to be broadened to include where the republicans would take us, because that's what elections are about. they're about what's going to happen next. they're about what's going to happen in the future. and the best way you can know what republicans are going to do in the future is look what they've done in the past, take us back to the policies that got us into this mess. cozy with lobbyists and tax cuts for the wealthy is not an economic plan for the american people. >> yet 58% of the people on our most recent poll said they

believe it is republicans who will introduce new ideas not the democrats. >> well, your poll showed the second most potent idea against somebody running for congress would be returning to the bush policies. we are going to take the next 50 some days to convince people that's exactly what the republicans are going to do. look, on nbc's "meet the press" the republican campaign committee chairman said exactly that. we want to go back to the bush policies. so we just need the american people to understand exactly their words and i think that will highlight the difference between moving forward and strengthening our recovery that's added jobs in the past eight months or the kind of policies that got us into this. >> when the president was on the road last week in cleveland he went off script at one point during his speech and referred to powerful interests aligned against him. he said they talked about him like he was a dog. what are these powerful interests he is talking about, specifically? >> well, look. meredith, i think he was making a little joke but i think there is no doubt that there are big, wealthy corporations in this

country. there's a lot of very mad people on wall street that the president passed financial reform that are investing in people like john boehner in hopes that he becomes speaker. he's had a cozy relationship with lobbyists for quite sometime. they're handing him a lot of money in hopes that he'll be a lot closer to power come the end of november. >> all right. white house press secretary robert gibbs, as always, thank you for your time. >> thank you. it is 7:16 and now here is carl. thanks. now to northern california where some residents are being allowed to return home after last week's deadly gas explosion that flattened a neighborhood. take a look at this google map image taken before the fire ball erupted. now look at those same houses today. utter destruction. we're in san bruno, california, with the latest. miguel, good morning. >> reporter: good morning. the death toll stands at four and four others are still missing, their fate uncertain, this as many begin to pick up the pieces of their lives.

hundreds returned home to an army of utility workers. >> you might want to stay back a little bit. >> reporter: restoring gas service after last week's blast. for some, the first confirmation that their homes had been spared. the damage in this neighborhood was widespread, yet sporadic. the difference between a home completely destroyed and one still standing was a matter of feet. >> five houses from the stop sign. >> reporter: like dozens of others this family wasn't allowed to pass a police barricade because their home sits too close to the blast site. do you think your house is still standing? >> i don't know. >> reporter: this, as new video surfaced of the ruptured gas line, the intensity of the fire has never been so vivid. thursday's fire ball which kicked off a series of explosions, incinerated entire city blocks. 37 homes were destroyed. the blast from a pacific gas and

electric pipe line so powerful that a 28-foot section of pipe was blown 100 feet into the air. the antiquated line is more than a half century old and was scheduled to be replaced within three years. investigators are looking for video of the blast for clues. >> the better we can document the exact location and extent of damage and injury the better we are able to determine what the cause of this accident was. >> reporter: meanwhile, cadaver dogs scoured the neighborhood, this weekend having found skeletal remains yet to be identified. among the dead, 20-year-old college student jessica morales as well as 44-year-old jacqueline greig and her 13-year-old daughter. in a tragic coincidence jacqueline worked for the state agency that regulates pg&e. >> it's just very painful. >> reporter: a death toll that could rise in a community already stripped of so much.

the ntsb will transport sections of the pipe line to washington, d.c. for further analysis. meantime, a state agency has ordered pacific gas & electric to survey all their pipe lines to ensure something like this never happens again. carl, back to you. >> miguel, thank you for that. it is 7:19. once again here is meredith. on a much lighter note the mtv music awards were held last night and if you missed the show if you missed the show, you missed a big night of stars and of surprises. here's nbc's george lewis. >> for best female video to lady gaga. >> reporter: it was an evening that belonged to lady gaga. nominated for an unprecedented 13 mtv awards. she took home 8 of them. >> tonight little monsters are the cool kids at the party. >> the vma for best pop video to lady gaga. >> reporter: the "bad romance" video kept picking up award after award.

>> god bless pop music and god bless mtv. >> reporter: teen heartthrob justin bieber who performed for the audience outside nokia theater in los angeles was named the best new artist. >> coming from a little town in canada, i never thought i would be in this position. thank you to everybody. thank you to all my fans. >> reporter: the real trademark of this show has been rock stars behaving badly. and this year host chelsea handler egged on the celebs in the audience. >> so i want to encourage everyone to be on their worst behavior. >> reporter: there was that moment last year when taylor swift was accepting her award. >> so thank you so much for giving me a chance to win a vma award. >> reporter: and kanye west jumped onstage hogging the microphone. >> but beyonce had one of the best videos of all time. >> reporter: west was widely condemned for doing that and even drew a rebuke from president obama. >> he's a jackass.

>> reporter: this year as clips from that played on an old black and white tv swift sang a song about innocence and forgiveness. ♪ i guess you really did this time ♪ >> reporter: west also performed. an obscenity-laced song poking fun at his critics and perhaps also at himself. ♪ making her first tv appearance after being let out of jail in rehab, lindsay lohan kidded chelsea handler about alcohol abuse. >> do you think anyone will work with a drunk? take it from me, they don't. >> reporter: biggest award of the night video award of the year and another award for lady gaga who with tears in her eyes managed a plug for her next song. ♪ i'm on the right track another first for awards shows. the singing acceptance speech. for "today," george lewis, nbc news, los angeles.

>> the president was my favorite part. i can't believe that. wow. >> we've been trying to find ways to describe the last outfit. looks like strips of raw beef, right? >> pretty gross. >> a lot of costume change. >> a lot. but she's a great artist. >> nice to see kanye and taylor swift sort of bury the hatchet. >> she won eight awards. i think that was the most. >> gabriel came in first. second most. i think the 13 nominations was -- big deal for her. >> big night. just ahead, the road to recovery for 15-year-old text rage victim josie ratley. show you just how much she's come and talk exclusively with her mom. [ male announcer ] how can rice production in india, affect wheat output in the u.s., the shipping industry in norway, and the rubber industry, in south america? at t. rowe price, we understand the connections of a complex global economy. it's just one reason 75% of our mutual funds beat their 10-year lipper average.

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risks, fees, expenses, and other information the kincaids live here. across the street, the padillas. ben and his family live here, too. ben's a re/max agent, and he's a big part of this community. there are lots of reasons why re/max agents average more sales than other agents. experience, certainly. but maybe it's also because they care about the markets they serve and the neighbors who rely on them. nobody sells more real estate than re/max. visit remax.com today. still to come, a husband sacrifices his own life in a car accident to save his pregnant wife. she'll share her story. hidden cameras reveal what your teens are really doing when

you're not watching. after your local news. ibility for the clean up in the gulf and that includes keeping you informed. my job is to listen to the shrimpers and fishermen, hotel and restaurant workers and find ways to help. that means working with communities. we have 19 centers in 4 states. we've made over 120,000 claims payments, more than $375 million. we'deom b moreto an independentms aidclun f to cover lost income until people impacted can get back to work. we'll keep looking for oil, cleaning it up if we find it and restoring the gulf coast. i was born in new orleans. my family still lives here. bp is gonna be here until the oil is gone and the people and businesses are back to normal... until we make this right.

li'm luke myers. if you want to be incredible, eat incredible. anncr vo: eggs. the incredible protein. >> good morning. 7:26 for and you mike has a look at the commute. >> things are moving slowly southbound, but the slow down caused by a couple of earlier accidents and another one heading south and it's jammed all the way down heading into fremont. the low clouds are not an issue. keep that in mind. a burst from the north bay because of an accident. a little bit of clearing at the bridge. >> the clouds are backing off,

but low clouds as you saw into livermore and 50s for now. in noticed upper 70s inland. 5 in san jose. second half of the week we warm up with more 90s authorindze friday. time is 7:27. more news after the break.

>> the latest from san bruno for a live look at the construction zone. 50 homes are destroyed and dozens are damaged. they are working to confirm how

many people died and the death toll is at least four. another four are missing. 60 are injured and some critically. the explosion blew a pipe into the street, creating a crater and 126 feet wide. take a look at the video. inside that crate is a massive piece of the point line. they are taking it away. we will have coverage on air and online on nbc bay area. another local news update in a half hour. the "today" show returns in less than a minute.

7:30 on? monday morning september 13, 2010. fall not officially here but starting to feel like it. back with these fine folks at rockefeller plaza. inside studio 1-a meredith vieira alongside carl quintanilla filling in for matt this morning. the long and difficult recovery for josie ratley. coming up we're going to hear from her and talk exclusively to her mother. also ahead, how well are your kids really listening when you talk to them about things

like stranger danger or the risks of distracted driving? prepare to be surprised when we show you what some undercover cameras are revealing. later, a father-to-be who made the ultimate sacrifice to save his wife and unborn child when he saw a car coming right at them. that man's wife speaks out coming up. but we're going to begin this half hour with josie ratley, the florida teen who was nearly beaten to death outside of her cool six months ago. we're going to talk to her mom exclusively in a moch but first nbc's michelle kosinski has the latest. >> reporter: this is where it happened six months ago where witnesses say she was savagely beaten by a boy her own age now charged as an adult with attempted murder. we were able to meet josie for the first time and almost couldn't believe it was her. she's come so far. she had been in a drug-induced coma and had three brain

surgeries. she still has a long way to go. this is her story. this smiling, thoughtful young woman is josie ratley today. out for pizza with her mother. you might say here's any 15-year-old. all nail polish and lip gloss and music. >> miley cyrus. >> reporter: jose yee had us laughing chatting about an upcoming concert with her mom. your mom could look like a teenager, i bet. those little moments of teenage embarrassment, even attitude. are such a beautiful thing. it is hard to believe this was josie six months ago. part of her left brain so damaged, it had to be removed. five months ago, a heartbreaking struggle. today -- >> so what is that color? it's your favorite word.

>> blue. >> and this letter? >> ga. >> it would be da. >> reporter: struggle is still very much a part of josie's life but with her cognitive therapist who is volunteering her time, she has made strides. >> "l." >> "l." that spells like levi. >> yeah, exactly. awesome! how many do we have now? ready? >> ten. >> good. >> reporter: josie was a talented artist. this is her work. now, she still loves art but can no longer draw. she has learned to color. >> good, you're using your right hand. >> reporter: and is very particular. >> and with the leaves do -- you use this one. >> i went out of the lines, so she's outlining it off to make it perfect. >> reporter: imagine having to relearn everything from showering to the simplest words. >> what is this? >> fork. >> good. what do you do with a fork? >> reporter: she's just starting

her abc's again. >> what sound does "a" make? >> reporter: can run through colors. >> red, green, red -- >> reporter: but often gets stuck on blue. her brain finds a way around it. >> sky. >> it's what? >> the sky. >> okay. it's in the sky, right. so the sky color is what? blue. >> reporter: these days have been bittersweet for her mother. >> she looks wonderful. but the inside is still healing. it seems like she remembers pieces and stuff like that from the past, but she doesn't remember too much of the present. >> reporter: and she has no idea what happened to her, does she? >> no, not at all. she says, you know, i used to know how to read and i can't read now. >> i can't do that. never. >> don't ever say never. >> never say never. you can. >> it's kind of like if you have take a jigsaw puzzle and throw it all over the table that's

what happened to her brain. now we're putting the puzzle back together piece by piece. >> we all hope for 100%, you know, but no one knows what the limit is going to be. i have a lot of conversation with god about that. she's everything. and if he took that away from me -- >> reporter: emotion is a constant. but mom hilda says small victories are starting to win out. >> this morning i couldn't find my glasses and i got upset. and she goes, mom, really? she says, you are going to get all upset for a pair of glasses? that gives me -- i got tears in my eyes and she goes, mom, don't start crying. because i'm always hiding it. it's hard not to cry. school bus was on the side of the car. she goes, mom, i remember i was on one of those. and i says, yeah. i said, do you miss that? not really, she goes. you know. so i was just quiet, you know.

she goes you're not crying, are you? no. >> let's put it together. good. getting better at this. >> just don't give up on my baby. prayers. >> reporter: we asked her mother what josie needs and she would say only prayers. those close to her say josie could use games for her wii system, puzzles and things that stimulate her brain and her mother could use help at home caring for her but it takes more resources than she has right now. >> thank you very much. hilda gotay, josie ratley's mother and josie's attorney are with us. i couldn't help noticing during the piece you did tear up. what are you feeling? what are you thinking? >> sad. very sad.

just thinking all the time how my daughter is. and where is she going and hope that she'll get better. >> she has made substantial strides, though, in the past six months from where she started, which is a very positive thing. >> yes, she has. and i'm looking forward for more progress, you know. i'm -- i would love to see her the way she was, you know. she has lots to learn, a lot to learn. physical, she's great. she looks beautiful. >> she does. >> but the inside of her brain is not very good. >> what are the doctors saying about recovery for josie long term?

>> well, they don't know what the limit is going to be, you know. they don't know if it's going to be 100%. they don't know it's 40%, 50%. we all of course are striving for the 100%. so nobody knows, you know. >> so a typical day for josie and for you would be what? at this point. >> a typical day for us is basically we stay home a lot, you know. she goes to her therapist and from there we spend a lot of time together. we don't go out too much, trying to keep her safe. >> trying to keep her safe? >> yes. >> and how -- i mean, it's got to be extremely difficult for you as a parent to see your child go through this. how do you hold up day to day? obviously, she's teasing you all the time saying, mom, don't cry.

>> yeah. i don't draw on anything. i don't watch the news. and i try to live my life like we used to live it, you know, every day. and sometimes it's pretty hard when i stand back and i look at her, you know. and there goes the dwelling and it gets me upset. so it's hard. it's hard. but i try to live my life normal and i try to have her do the same thing, you know, not worry about anything. >> as best she can and continue to learn. shawn, you have given notice to the broward county school system about a possible civil suit. can you tell us about that? >> sure. in florida when you're dealing with a government aal system li the school system you have to give out a notice. i have reached out to the school system to talk to them not only specifically about josie's case

but how can we do things for the bigger issues especially with schools starting up and this issue of texting and things happening that weren't around when i was certainly a kid. >> you've reached out. have they responded? >> they haven't. that's been really frustrating because i talked to them about the fact i understand our differences with regard to josie but there's a big issue out there that we should be working together on. and so far they haven't responded. that's been frustrating to us because we do want to make sure we can make whatever difference we can make so you're not sitting on this couch with somebody else telling a similar story. >> i'm sure there's a lot of anger, hilda, that you feel toward what happened. do you ever think you'll be able to let going of that feeling? >> honestly, i don't think so. i think the only time that that would happen is when i see my baby able to function, you know, on her own and i know that i don't have to worry about her, god forbid, if something happens

to me, she's able to take care of herself. >> i know the community has been very responsive, given toys and puzzles and various things to help your daughter. what do you need now most of all going forward? >> well, i'd like to know more about nutritious things that she's supposed to be eating to help develop her brain. i really doesn't know the proper things i need to give her and i would like to be taught that so she gets the right care at home too. >> well, we look forward to the day that she joins you here on the couch and is doing well. we're praying along with you. hilda gotay, thank you so much. shawn dominick, thank you as well. now let's get a check of the weather from al. >> thanks so much, meredith. these folks talking about declan's journey. what is that? >> my son passed away from pediatric cancer. so we're raising money. everybody get gold ribbons and

support pediatric cancer because it's woefully underfunded. >> thank you for that. let's check the weather. much of the country above normal. below normals great lakes through the northeast. midweek below normal temperatures continue in the northeast and great lakes. much of the rest of the country with the above normal temperatures. as we get to the latter part of the week rain into the northwest into the mid-atlantic states. above normal temperatures into the southwest and in the right now we are waking up to a lot of low clouds around san francisco and they are inland and as we jump to the afternoon, temperatures into the 70s and not much warm for example noon to 4:00 from san francisco down to santa cruz. 60s on the coast and mid 70s for san jose into morgan hill and upper 70s and a mild start to the week for thursday and friday. at least inland into the 80s and cooling off for the weekend.

and don't forget you can check your weather any time of the day or night. go to the weather channel on cable or weather.com online. up next, what do your kids do when they think you aren't watching? wait until you see what hidden cameras uncovered. me neither.

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>> exactly, when you're not around. what we wanted to do is see whether those lessons are sticking and challenge them in certain areas. we looked at everything from bullying, what happens when they see bullying happen. we looked at stranger danger, what happens when somebody comes to the front door and a number of other topics, all hoping to start a conversation between parents and their children. >> tell me about the first clip because these are teens who are driving and they're not necessarily paying attention to the road. >> we partnered with a company called drive cam. they put cameras in cars of novice drives for the first year that they're out there. the kids know the cameras are there but look what happens anyway. ♪ >> reporter: this teen is putting on lipstick. this one is changing tracks on

an ipod. this one is chatting on the cell. >> oh, [ bleep ]! >> reporter: teens so dangerously distracted, they've lost focus. [ screams ] >> we should mention no one in those videos were hurt. >> luckily. >> but that's pretty astounding footage what they're doing when they're alone. you talked to some of these younger people. >> right. >> and their lesson was, hey, we're watching you have guys as parents do it too. >> this is the take-away. they all say it's you. it's the parents that are -- hello, myself included. at a stop light checking our phones and blackberries. we sat with a group of 4 to 7-year-olds and talked to them about their parents' use of technology. you wouldn't believe not just the safety issues -- they talked about their parents texting and driving -- but the emotional impact on kids. >> set sup this next clip which

involves the decision whether or not you get in a car with someone who appears to have been drinking. >> and we all teach our teenagers don't ever get in a car. call me if somebody is -- you think they've been drinking. a fake reality tv show invited people to a casting call. when the parents and kids got there. we told the parents we're "dateline nbc" but we'd like to watch and see what your kids do when an actor they think has been drinking is handed the car keys. >> what? you're drinking alcohol? >> whatever. it's my birthday. >> reporter: we told them it's time to drive over to a studio that's taping and throw the keys to the actor who appears to have been drinking. >> you get to drive. >> you're actually driving? >> reporter: their moms are watching on a monitor to see what they'll do. they head to the parking lot and everybody hops in. breal even makes a stunning death at her school caused by a drunk driver. >> my friend just passed away from driving.

>> reporter: we let them drive off but not far. they pulled back around to be greeted by our cameras and their disappointed parents. >> did you know he was drinking? >> yeah. >> he told you? and did you think it was smart to get in the car with him? >> no. >> so why did you? >> that's the thing. these kids know what they did was wrong. you say to protect them, give them the chance to save face with their friends, right? >> there's a couple of things we learned from this. we worked with experts all throughout these scenarios. one of the things is be severe about this. tell them the consequences are serious and give them -- tell them what the punishment will be if they get in a car with a drunk driver. not only punishment but use that to save face. they can say, i can't get into this car with you because my mom will take away my driver's license. also give them a text message they can send you as simple as 111 means, mom, come get me now so they don't have to say anything out loud. >> watch the show together

ka'ste >> watch kate's full report on "dateline" 10:00, 9:00 central here on nbc. we're back after this. hey mom. i just got your package; you're the best. i thought you would like it. (announcer) it's more than just that great peanut taste, choosing jif is a simple way to show someone how much you care. i love you mom. i love you too. choosey moms, choose jif. the medicine in advil is their #1 choice for pain relief. more than the medicines in tylenol or aleve. use the medicine doctors use for themselves. one more reason to make advil your #1 choice.

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>> 7:56 and it's slow out there. >> we will take you past the first of two university avenues. very long drive. 47 minutes and growing off the bridge. the typical slow spots through hayward and livermore and antioch is slow as well. the second university avenue exit on the peninsula, all lanes are clear, but that kept things very, very jammed for about 20 minutes and caused all the problems. the south bay in general on the 101 and 280 coming through san jose. we did see earlier blips, but that's better news coming towards the airport there as well.

>> in the south bay, one of the spots with temperatures climbing into the 70s. upper 70s by livermore and a mild start to the workweek and we will warm up inland and more 80s popping up with more cooling as wehe weekend. ewomohe weekerend n more news after the break. [ male announcer ] jerry brown's good old days.

but what really happened? cnn -- not me -- cnn says his assertion about his tax record was "just plain wrong." jerry brown went out there and took credit for the fact that the people of california voted for proposition 13, which lowered taxes, which he opposed. and now he's going around taking credit for it. he raised taxes as governor of california. he had a surplus when he took office and a deficit when he left. he doesn't tell the people the truth.

the california public utilities have to test for leaks. the pipeline 2 1/2 miles north was set to be repaired in 2012. the day after the explosion, pg&e tested that section and found no leaks. public documents show another high risk pipeline runs for five miles between livermore and the area. it is considered to be at risk. another local news update in about a half hour. s

k now on this monday morning, the 13th of september, 2010. here in rockefeller plaza. a lot of smiles. i'm meredith vieira along with carl quintanilla. matt has the day off. just ahead, a heartbreaking story. >> erin and brian wood are expecting their first child coming this november. a few days ago their car crossed the center line of the highway. a car was headed for their suv.

that's when brian made this split-second decision to save his wife and unborn children but she's going to share the story just ahead. on a much lighter note more of our parenting series. today why is it we women turn into our mothers. i don't know quite how it happens but it does. sometimes it's a very good thing. and we're going to get some design from the design guru himself mr. nate berkus and ben affleck is going to be stopping by. oh, look at your face. >> i like ben. >> all gushy and everything. >> you be quiet. first a check of the top stories with ann curry at the news desk. swiss diplomats are making arrangements to post bail for shourd . held captive in iran. mahmoud ahmadinejad promised she would released this weekend but iran's judiciary stepped in with

conditions that include a $500,000 bail. inspectors are assessing how many people died in the fire in san francisco that destroyed about 50 homes. they say four bodies have now been discovered and several people are still missing. residents were allowed to return to their homes on sunday and a section of the ruptured pipe suspected in the natural gas explosion was sent to washington for analysis. firefighters are battling a new fire in northern colorado that forced hundreds of people from their homes on sunday. the fire near loveland is about 35 miles from the one that destroyed more than 160 homes last week outside of boulder. that fire is expected to be fully contained today. and a rescue team is waiting for blizzard conditions to clear this morning so it can fly to antarctica and rescue an american man who is in serious medical condition. the patient, who has not been identified, is at the u.s. mcmurto base science base and at this time of year in antarctica there are only about 1 1/2 hours

of daylight for the plane to land, load the patient and refuel. that is the news at 8:02. let's get another check of the weather from al who is outside. >> thanks a lot, ann. got some nice folks here. buckeyes. where it near? >> the most southernmost point of ohio you can go. et>>he> l c'sckou cr weather and see what's g.ppinen boston, massachusetts, nbc 7. scattered showers, 67 degrees today. as we look at the rest of the country we've got some clouds and showers working through the northeast. also some heavier thunderstorms through the great lakes. that will clear up and they'll have plenty of sunshine today. risk of strong storms in it's a pretty gray start to the bay, all around the bay area. san jose, low clouds, misty skies on the coast. as we head through the afternoon, places like san jose should arm up, mid-70ss later on. the temperatures about 75 san

jose, 79 around morgan hill and 78 santa cruz. 80ss around lakeport. a mild start to the workweek, then we warm up inland thursday and friday. that's your latest weather. meredith. >> al, thank you very much. up next, a husband makes the ultimate sacrifice in a tragic accident to save his wife and unborn child. she will share her emotional story right after this. the lack of energy. [ male announcer ] ask your doctor about pristiq®, a prescription medicine proven to treat depression. pristiq is thought to work by affecting the levels of two chemicals in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine. tell your doctor right away if your depression worsens or you have unusual changes in mood, behavior, or thoughts of suicide. antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens and young adults. pristiq is not approved for children under 18. do not take pristiq with maois. taking pristiq with nsaid pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners may increase bleeding risk.

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have been better for brian and erin wood. married, happy, their first baby on the way. life seemed pretty good. they strapped them 60s into their subaru last night. no one could have foreseen what would happen next. >> i would give anything to be able to hug my husband just one more time. >> reporter: in an impound lot in whidbey island, washington, covered by a plastic tarp is what's left of erin and brian's car. sitting next to it is a tan chevy blazer, the one that became the weapon that killed a father-to- father-to-be. >> i remember knowing like right then that he was gone because there wasn't anybody paying attention to him. and, you know, no one was helping him out of the car or talking to him. there was no movement over there. >> reporter: investigators say the driver of the other car, 21-year-old jordyn weichert, was

taking off her sweater, allowing one of her friends in the passenger seat to take the wheel instead. >> apparently the vehicle crossed offensive the center lip. they both jerked the wheel, overreacted then had to overcompensate and lost control and that's when they came head-on into the husband and wife. >> reporter: but it's what that husband did that is truly remarkable. with the suv bearing down brian slammed on the brakes and swerved just enough to take the full impact of the crash on his side, a split-second act of love and bravery, his wife says, for her and the child he's never met. >> that was a choice that he made to sacrifice himself to keep me and the baby safe because it's just the kind of guy he was always. >> reporter: brian's parents, soon to be grandparents, are at least comforted by that. >> his first thought was for that baby and his wife. so it -- i'm sure he did it without even consciously realizing it. >> reporter: brian wasn't the

only casualty. two passengers in the other car were killed as well. the cause, police suspect dui. the 21-year-old driver was arrested and charged but not with driving drunk but driving drugged. investigators found cocaine, marijuana and heroine all in the car along with a 25 caliber hand gun. as infuriating as that may be, brian's parents say there's no room for anger. >> anger won't help. love will. >> reporter: a message that brian's wife wants her baby to know. >> that daddy loves him very much. and that daddy is in heaven looking down on us. >> reporter: he missed his first born without even knowing if he had a boy or a girl. the baby is dew in november, a gift now more precious than ever. for "today," lee cowan, nbc news, los angeles. >> and erin wood is with us now. erin, good morning to you.

our deepest sympathies to you. thank you for sharing your story with us this morning. before i ask you about anything else -- >> thank you very much. >> -- can you tell us is everything okay with your pregnancy? what have the doctors told you? >> yes. after the accident, all the doctors that saw me were very careful to monitor the baby. and although there were some early contractions and concern about that, the excellent care i received made sure that the baby is safe. >> it's -- your baby is due november 5th, so you're in the last couple of months here. how are you feeling? >> well, i was feeling good before the accident. physically, i'm still doing well. starting to slow down, just like anyone in their third trimester. but, yeah, physically, i'm doing pretty well. >> take me back to the night of the accident. there's this out-of-control chevy blazer. it's heading right for you. what do you remember about that

moment? you've described it as almost being dream-like. >> yeah. i was actually dozing a little bit in the car on the way down. and so i remember opening my eyes and seeing a car swerve in and out of our lane and then kind of flip. and that's the last thing that i remember. it really was dream-like, because i didn't -- i didn't connect that it was actually happening. i think i was probably in shock or something like that. but the next thing i remember is that there were medical personnel talking to me and people talking to me and trying to ask questions and get me out of the vehicle. >> and you remember a moment where you looked down and you saw brian's hand? >> yeah. the only visual memory i have -- i have audible memory of some of what happened. but the only visual memory i have is the car swerving. and then the next thing i

remember seeing is brian's hand next to me. and then i don't have any other visual memory until i get to the hospital. >> what do you think would have happened if brian hadn't turned the wheel? >> i think -- it's pretty obvious if you look at the car that if it would have been a head-on crash, we both would have been killed instantly, along with our baby. and so he definitely -- i mean, he saved us. he made that choice. and i'm thankful for that. >> does it surprise you at all that he gave up his life to save your life and your baby's life? you've talked about how selfless he was in life. >> yeah. it's not a surprise at all. i mean, he was very excited for this baby and always just incredibly loving towards me and putting me first. and just an amazing guy.

and so, no, it doesn't surprise me. it breaks my heart, and it also fills me with -- with gratefulness. i'm just glad that he's being remembered as someone who really was willing to make that sacrifice. >> you would be celebrating your fifth anniversary soon. how are you coping with this? and what are you going to tell your child about brian? >> i'm -- i don't know -- i'm not coping well. i don't think you can cope well in a situation like this. i'm just trying to draw a lot of strength right now from knowing that he had made that choice to save me and the baby. and so i can't waste that gift. and he wouldn't want me to.

and so i'm just -- i'm trying to focus on what i need to do right now, which is eat and sleep and take my vitamins and just do my job as a mom. that gives me some comfort just to focus on those things and focus on the joy that we'll have once this baby is born. >> erin, it can't be easy to talk about it. but if it means that we're able to tell people about brian, maybe it's worth it. we appreciate your time this morning. >> thanks so much. i think the biggest thing for me is just to -- just -- it's a reminder to everyone to please just hug your family and love them and make sure that they know that you care about them, because i really would give anything just to see brian and hug him one more time. and so if that just acts as a reminder to everyone to do that with the people that they're blessed to have in their lives,

that's my hope. >> erin wood, thank you very much. and we'll be right back. hard thing. i was, like, the first person to leave home. ♪ my name is elan, and i'm saving up to buy a new toyota corolla. i really need the reliability that the corolla provides. i am a bookkeeper, and also a prep chef, so i need to be driving around from place to place. for the initial down payment, i'm six months out from when i get to go in and buy the corolla and get the keys. [ male announcer ] share your toyota story on facebook.com/toyota.

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this morning on "today's family,". from the mannerisms we see in the mirror the idea you're turning into your mom can an startling realization. >> you're becoming more like your mother with every passing day. >> you're becoming more like my mother's mother with every passing day. >> that's it. >> for many of us it's the worst nightmare. >> i think we turn into our mother the day we are born and quite frankly spend the rest of our lives trying not to be. >> but then it happens. >> oh, my god, this is horrible.

i've been trying so hard to not be my mother i did not see this coming. >> when you start to see these traits and things, you go i didn't intend to be like that. >> whether it's the glass, the gesture, the things you never thought you'd say -- >> because i said so! >> until you do. >> because i said so. that comes up a lot. >> i think it's when i finally perfected the stink eye. my mom would just have to look at me a certain way and i would run for the hills or shut my mouth. >> there were times ways like, i can't be like my mom. she worries about everyone. i do too. >> but is being like your mom really a bad thing? according to a recent survey on ivillage 56% believe they've become their mother. >> we have to face the fact we live our entire growing-up years with our mothers and fathers. how can you not become a little like them. >> daughters hate their mother.

i think it's a law of nature but then they come back. >> the worst is when people say you remind me so much of your mother now. sometimes i think that freaks me out but in the end i know it's a harriete coal is a lifestyle expert. harriette, is it just our destiny to become our moms in looks and attitude? >> i think so. but i love that because as it was said, we grow up with our mothers. our mothers are the closest to us as we're growing up. we see how they behave. we also have their genes. and we discover at a certain point, you know, after teens, 20s, and 30s, as we grow up, wow, my mother says that. wow, my mother does that. and the eye, to your children, my mother gave that eye and i give that eye and it works. and i love it. >> why are we so afraid of it? >> i think, first of all, it's about aging. you realize -- you think you're going to be your own person and then all of a sudden, oh, my

gosh, i've become my mom. for me, a turning point was when i was at a business luncheon and i reached into my bag to pull out a card and i realized that i had three bags full of snacks in my bag. it doesn't matter i'm at the four seasons. i'm still my mother. when you ask young people, a lot of them say i want to become my mom. she was awesome. i think moms have become role models. >> can you pick and choose the characteristics, because there are always characteristics of your mom you kind of don't want to adapt. >> i think what happens is in the moment of awareness when you realize you're doing something that your mother does, if you like it, you embrace it and nurture it. if you don't like it, you have to work hard as the dickens to figure out, oop, i'm not going to do that again. that's something that mom does that i don't have to do. >> often you see it once you have your own children and responding to your own kids. have you seen yourself or your kids -- because you both have little girls, right, 6 1/2, 7 years old?

>> i think it's things that come out of your mouth. my mom every time she started the car she would say off we go in a burst of light like a herd of turtles. this used to embarrass me to no end, i hated it as a teenager. now when my kids are in the back seat i say it too. they roll their eyes. >> are you hearing your kids say anything back to you? >> my mother would shower me with kisses and it would drive me crazy. my daughter just let me know that i do the same thing. she said, mom, i'm sorry, but i have to -- i'll kiss you and her. too much, right? but we do the same thing. i had no idea i would do that, because i didn't like to be showered with kisses when i was a kid. but you understand you love your kids so much. but it's me as my mother. >> what's interesting is you spend so many years running away from your mother but it's part of you. >> and by the way, it's not just biology. i have a stepmother who i've been close to for 30 years. i'm also becoming my stepmom. i can be eating mcdonald's at home with a family, cloth napkins on the table, that's my stepmom. >> i think moms like it.

>> and you know what, i also think that it's great when we love our mothers and want to be them. >> absolutely. harriette, cindi, thank you so much as always. just ahead, good morning. 8:26 right now. we've got a look at the forecast. i like the temperatures. >> pretty comfortable. not too hot, not too cold. sort of in the middle. temperatures for this afternoon, low 70ss starting to pop up around lunchtime for areas south of san jose. san francisco just kind of stuck in the cool temperatures, near 60, 66 oakland 75 san jose. if you like this weather, you'll like at least the first half of the week. then thursday and friday warming up inland and cooling down for the weekend. time right nows i 8:26. more news right after the short break.

we expect new details on a deal that will put dozens of police officers back on street in oakland. the plan would revise measure y which calls for a tax increase to pay for 63 officers. that money can only be used if the police force isn't cut. because of budget problems in oakland, the city had to lay off officers. that means measure y with money can't be use. berkeley police are looking for a gunman in a deadly shooting just from 4:00 sunday

mourn. police say a 35-year-old and his fiancee were walking home when two men tried to rob them. one of the robbers shot and killed the man and punched the woman. police are hoping someone saw the crime. the two robbers took off in an older two-tone suv. i'll have another local news update in half an hour. the "today" show returns in less than a minute. have a great monday morning.

8:30 on this monday morning, september 13, 2010. you're looking at the great folks -- actually not the great folks but the view from top of the rock. it's absolutely beautiful. >> great folks up there. >> definitely great folks there probably heading for work right now. we also have great folks gathered down here at rockefeller plaza at the start

of the last full week of the summer. right now with ben affleck. he has been busy writing and directing and starring in the new thriller "the town." i said earlier i had a chance to see it last night. it's phenomenal. it's beautiful. >> the trailers look amazing. >> in charleston where it's set is as much a character as ben. >> he directed and co-wrote it. terrific. >> he's getting three checks. also ahead interior design expert nate berkus showing you how to breathe new life into your living space. i think we're going to use this 3d model on television to show you how to do it. also this morning we want to help our kids especially with all that's going on in the economy to maybe talk to them about money, talk to them about the importance of it, how to deal with it. how you best do that. we're going to talk about that this morning. speaking of the economy, talking about that, the all-time great -- the reality show "the

apprentice" is back again for a new season but going back to its roots. donald trump executive producer. gentlemen, good to see both of you. what made you decide, donald, to go back to the noncelebrity version? >> we've had so many requests, al. nbc and mark and myself got back together. the celebrity show has been a big hit but it's coming back in the spring. we thought we'd do a regular because of the economy and what's happened. the economy just tanked as you probably have heard. have you heard that? but the economy has totally tanked and it's really interesting. these people are down and out, well educated, smart. some cases beautiful but absolutely down and out. >> these are people that have lost their jobs or can't get into the job market? >> they had great jobs for the most part and great educations. one went to stanford and is now selling cupcakes. it's an interesting concept. relative very much to what we have now with the economy. >> are you as tough on them as

you are on others in the past? >> i sat with them at the beginning and i said i really feel sorry for everybody in the room but i have to be really tough. turns out i'm probably tougher. but we also do a lot of things for them to help them. and i think that will be evident during the show. >> you want to get a word in edgewise here? >> what's it like dealing with the donald? >> we don't have a bad word between us. i've never been fired. >> what's the status of "celebrity apprentice"? will that be coming back? >> back i think them february or march. great cast shaping up. back on sundays as usual and of course the normal apprentice , civilian apprentice starts this thursday, 9:00. >> can you size somebody up immediately and know whether they'll succeed? >> absolutely not. i'd like to say yes. i'm so often asked, i'll see those people, i'll safe there's

a star, there's a star. >> you didn't think bret michaels -- >> i did i think he wouldn't make it but he was great. you really can't tell. >> meantime, last week you stepped into this mosque controversy that's going on downtown. you offered to buy the property. and i was wondering -- because you wanted to quell the controversy. where is that now? and what were you thinking about this? why was it so important? >> i see the kind of turmoil going on downtown. i'm watching people rioting in the streets and it's going to only get worse. this is a real estate developer who you think is only in it for the money. i said i'll give au nice profit. i'll give you a check tonight and this whole thing can end. you build it five blocks away. he hasn't said yes but in my opinion he'll end up selling. the mosque won't be built. what do i know about real estate? what do i know about real estate

and religion? so that's my opinion. my offer still on the table? absolutely. >> donald trump, mark burnett, thank you for being here. >> catch the two-hour premier of "the apprentice." next week the regular time slot 10:00, 9:00 central. it's a smart reality television show. very few of those. >> she knows about game shows. >> she doesn't do that easily, does she? >> she gave us a little critique. i like that. very extensive highly paid cit teak. >> speaking of -- i don't know here's a look at san francisco. we've got low clouds but at least the base of the clouds high enough to keep it from the midspan of the bridge this morning. for the afternoon, obviously warmer temperatures inland, 70s

around livermore and san jose, an all-day sea breeze means mild temperatures today. tomorrow will possibly through wednesday. high pressure briefly strengthens thursday and friday, we'll warm up in the inland then cool off again moving into the weekend. >> what muse snik. >> can you hear it? you got it? bonds, james bond. now the actual 164 astin martin that was used in goldfinger can be yours. here with rm auctions is here

with the car. this car is not only the actual car but comes with all the gadgets that made bond famous too, right? >> absolutely. this car is in absolutely original condition as it was in "thunderball." >> including the license place that change? >> revolving license plates. you can see front and year. the bulletproof screen. be careful here with the tire shredder. >> what about the machine guns? >> come on, we've got to see the machine guns. all opened up for you. >> wow! >> how much do you expect this to go for? >> i think all cars should have these as an option, by the way. they come in handy. we've got the bumper overriders that -- ramming devices. and of course the number plates revolve. >> how much do you think this is going to go for, don? >> we believe $5 million is the floor. we're going up from there. >> has a car ever sold for that much? >> yes. as a matter of fact, the highest

price for a car ever at a public sale happened to be an rm sale that we did last year, $12.5 million. >> where do the proceeds go? >> and the proceeds go to the owners foundation, the jerry lee foundation, which combats the social causes of crimes. >> here we have the ultimate crime-fighting vehicle raising money for -- >> shotgun! >> thank you so much. the car will be on sale in london at the end of next month on the 27th of october. >> thank you. >> and you know what today marks? >> what? >> it's your fourth anniversary here on the "today" show. four years ago today meredith started on the "today" show. >> thank you. >> happy anniversary. >> it's been a great experience. >> four more years! four more years! four more years! four more years!

four more years! four more years! >> anyhow, it's been a wonderful experience. >> we've had a great time. >> thank you, honey. >> we've had a great time. >> thank you, honey. as governor, he cut waste got rid of the mansion and the limo budgets were balanced. $4 billion in tax cuts. world class schools and universities. clean energy promoted. 1.9 million new jobs created. california was working. i'm jerry brown. california needs major changes. we have to live within our means; we have to return power and decision making to the local level-closer to the people and no new taxes without voter approval. jerry brown the knowledge and know-how to get california working again.

ben and his family live on this block. ben's a re/max agent, and he's a big part of this community. re/max agents know their markets,

and they care enough to get to know you, too. nobody sells more real estate than re/max. visit remax.com today. back now at 8:41 with academy award winner ben affleck, the writer, director and star of the new thriller "the town." he plays the leader of a group of robbers in charlestown massachusetts who fear a witness may have seen more than she is letting on. >> take the scenic route? >> had a problem. >> what? >> look. >> so what? >> she lives four blocks away. >> i know. >> we didn't see anything. >> you sure? >> taking her for a ride didn't help. >> we'll find her. >> find her what? >> if she needs to get scared.

>> she's already scared. >> maybe not scared enough. >> ben, good morning to you. >> thanks very much. >> i saw the movie last night. it is fantastic. really, really wonderful. it's about this area called charlestown which has produced more bank robbers than any square mile anyway. you grew up in cambridge, section of boston. >> where i grew up was actually ne next to charlestown but worlds away. we knew these towny guys were tough and i guess in short i was sort of intimidated or scared by charlestown. they had this sort of code of silence. really the movie portrays charlestown now as it was in the mid and late '90s when the bank robbery was in the heydays. >> you went back and talked to ex-cons and people currently in prison as well, right? >> yeah. >> what was that like for you and them to have you come by? >> i don't know what it was like for them. probably surreal, like this guy shows up at the prison and says

can i talk to you about bank robbery. for me it was a little scary. i didn't know what to expect when i went into the prisons and i was intimidated by what would be in the room. ultimately the people who were there visiting these prisoners were just wives and children mostly. >> because that was sort of -- that was a given in that community. that's the way people grew up. that's what became of people. >> in some part of there there was almost like i was told a trade passed down father to son and produced this sort of banditry. that's what i thought would make an interesting movie outside of the usual conventions of heist movie. >> you co-wroted and directed but also star in it. what is it about this character doug mcray that made you want to take on the role? >> i thought it would be a challenge. the first thing i liked is i got the opportunity to play the role. it's not a role that comes along very often. he's a flawed guy. he kind of wants to change. but also it's a love story too.

so you had both aspects competing in the movie. >> there's a pivotal scene toward the end at fenway park. you're a major, major red sox fans. i don't know that they've ever done anything like that at fenway from what i understand. >> i don't think so. when you have a movie about a big heist in fenway park it was my dream, combining movies that i like like "heat" or something like that with the place i grew up, this iconic sports stage. >> and your accent in this film is really thick. is that the real ben affleck voice that i'm hearing? did you have grow up with that . stronger accent than i had growing up. >> do you worry "gone baby gone" and good will hunting way back then and this in boston identified as the guy who makes the movies. on the one hand who kids because if they're good they're good.

>> i do. i really wanted to play the role but was hesitant to direct it because i didn't want to get pigeon-holed as boston crime johnny. maybe we can do it about rhode island. >> it's a great movie and pleasure to have you here. >> thanks so much. >> i hope the family is good, kids are good? >> yes, everything is good. thank you. >> "the town" opens on friday. ben affleck. in a moment nate berkus helping us change the look of any room in your home.

♪ back now with our special series "at home with nate berkus today." this morning it's all about bringing new life to your living spaces. a little design intervention can change the look of any room. nate berkus is an interior design expert and host of "the nate berkus show" which premieres today. are you excited? >> i am. >> about all the buildup --

>> and the summer working on this. so excited for everybody to see what i've been working on. it's the best day. >> one of the things you're going to highlight is this actually, the use of an instant designed studio. >> this is a sneak peek, meredith, and you're the first person to see it. >> i'm very honored. >> basically what i had is 3d gaming technology created for me exclusively for my show. what it is is the opportunity as a decorator -- i walk into people's homes every day. and immediately i know what i'd like to change. but the whole trick is to communicate that to people. >> right, exactly. >> i thought why can't i have a computer system that can change things with the touch of my fingertip so anyone can put their real room, photo of the room with the dimensions into my design studio and see it instantly. >> you have an example today. you received a letter from a couple that wanted you to bring new life to their living space. >> that's right. >> first let's look at what the

entryway looked like. >> this is what their living room looks like now although they're not watching my show yet. so this is their living room now. if i go over here, this is their entry. i have to explain something. this is a young, fun, energetic couple with great taste and they wanted to add life in their home. >> this says nothing. >> it says nothing. it says i'm scared to do one thing. that's what it says. so what i'm able to do here is actually -- i'm going to go back in the living room. i can donate the pieces that i don't want, see how everything just disappeared and i left the sofas because they're investment pieces. they're basic. i can work with those and they said, we want to keep our sofas. then if i go into the walls this is where the personality comes through. i wanted to do something bold because they're young. i can update the paint color throughout the entire room and i

actually striped the entry. >> what made you do that? >> because i wanted the entry to be defined in a way. see how cool that is? now you can see the perspective of the whole house. >> so this really is the floorplan? >> this is literally their home transformed instantly before their eyes. >> is that wallpaper? >> no, i painted a stripe in a lavender and darker gray and then i carried the darker gray over into the living area. a lot of people have those open floor plans and don't know where to end the color. that's a great way to have personality when you first come in and then you can take one of the colors that you use and bring that through the rest of the space. >> after that you said you donated certain items like the coffee table. >> donate is my favorite key i have to say. then what i do is go into my catalog and i have all the products that i need in here. so i'm going to add a rug which defines the seating area. >> is that a real rug that they can purchase? >> absolutely.

on the show's website i'll show people where to get any of these products. this then i'm going to add a coffee table. and i updated it with a round limestone and iron. >> why did you choose that coffee table? >> i felt it was easier to move around and a little more elegant than what they had. it felt like an upgrade to me. so then if i go in here as well, i'm going to add lighting. i decided to add a chandelier because i really felt like that would -- >> drama. >> we're doing drama this morning. but i love the chant lear in a family room space. then if i go back here i'll add a storage piece for all the television equipment right underneath their tv. and then over here i can also add additional seating, because two sofas are never enough. you've got to create a "u" so when you have a party or when you have conversation people can all face each other comfortably. everyone thinks you have to put sofa here and sofa here and tv here. that's not the case. >> this is a much better layout.

>> conducive to conversation. >> why do you hang the tv on the wall sm. >> i don't have a problem with that. because i'm not a liar. that's why. i think if we like to watch tv we can watch tv. >> watch ourself. >> i haven't had the opportunity to do that. >> plus you have space. >> exactly. and i will do that. this is my favorite button. it's called final reveal where we add pillows and do a wall -- isn't this beautiful? and we do a wall here. you have a wall of framed objects and photos that takes your eye away from the television so it really feels like a living space. but this way you can see basically these people -- i'll give them the plans. they can do everything and do it piece by piece because it's a lot easier to spend money if you know it will work. >> what is the first thing they should do? >> well, they own their sofas which was a great thing. i always tell people buy a sofa in a neutral fabric in as classic a style as you can because you'll never get tired of it. you can always change it up with accessories just like i've done

here. but i think the sofa is the place to start and then the rug. and everything else comes gradually. you need somewhere to sit and you need the room to feel defined. but other than that, accessories, other chairs, floor lamps. that kind of stuff can come later. >> did they find off on this whole thing? >> they did now. now that it's on the "today" show. i can show you as well. i can go back in and here's what the entry looks like with a stripe and even created a beautiful area with a chest and lamp and mirror because people are hes hant to put furniture in the hallways but if you leave at least three feet, 36 inches, those are great spaces. >> this is great because i'm bad at visualizing things. >> everyone is. that's what i love about this because literally people are submitting these to me every day on the show and it's been fun to play with. >> nate berkus. congratulations. so much deserved. premieres today. check local listings for times and information.

ah, focus group. so what are we testing here? that's our new pastrami grilled sandwich. oh, great. hey, are they happy we got rid of the rye bread? totally. they love our grilled artisan bread. they say it's the perfect compliment to the classic hot pastrami, melting cheese, deli mustard and pickles. awesome. hey, um what are we testing in that room? oh! nothing we were just hazin' the intern. woman: did you bring the camera phone? man: i did. do you wanna go first?

i've been waiting for this all day. ok, this is from... aunt stacey. introducing chase quickdeposit. just photograph the front and back of your check using the chase mobile app on your iphone, and hit send. it went through. this is so cool. this is so cool. you wanna try it? yea. ok. all right. who's next? make a deposit from anywhere, anytime-- with your iphone. to mister and misses walker. why would they send my parents a check? chase what matters. ♪

but what really happened? cnn -- not me -- cnn says his assertion about his tax record was "just plain wrong." jerry brown went out there and took credit for the fact that the people of california voted for proposition 13, which lowered taxes, which he opposed. and now he's going around taking credit for it. he raised taxes as governor of california. he had a surplus when he took office and a deficit when he left. he doesn't tell the people the truth.

and a deficit when he left.

back now with more of today on this monday morning. the 13th day of september, 2010. looking like a really nice late summer morning in the heart of midtown manhattan. maybe some showers and thunderstorms in the northeast later today. right now kicking things off with us, i'm al roker with natalie morales and carl quintanilla. matt takes a little time off. coming up, lady luck. >> lots of talent. the mtv video music awards were last night in los angeles. lady gaga won the most of any artist going home with eight

moon men, as they are called. she had various outrageous outfits and outrageous moments including the appearance by lindsay lohan, her first tv appearance since rehab. we have highlights -- or lowlights -- coming up. >> when you hear names like betsey johnson, diesel you think of clothes, but now they are designing hotels. if you are looking for a cool hotel at a cool price we'll show you stylish hot spots. later, picking the right college for your teenager can be a stressful process. you may start thinking about how much it costs, looking at the ranking lists. how much should you rely on the rankings when making a choice? we have perspective on those things. first, let's catch up on the latest morning news with ann curry. >> hey, al. good morning, everybody. the morning the religious leader who plans to build an islamic

center near ground zero says the project will be a victory over extremists. imam rauf gave no sign he was going to back down on plans to build the center. >> in recent days some people have asked, is there really a need for an islamic community center in lower manhattan? is it worth all this firestorm? the answer, ladies and gentlemen, is a categorical yes. >> and without going into details the imam said he is trying to work on a solution to overcome the controversy. california officials ordered pacific gas & electric to survey all natural gas lines to prevent a catastrophic explosion like the one that destroyed a san bruno neighborhood last week. some families returned to see what, if anything, is left of their homes. at least four people were killed, four others missing and part of the ruptured pipeline is being sent to washington for

analysis. another major fire is burning in colorado. a wildfire near loveland burns one home on sunday and hundreds of acres. it is near boulder, the scene of the bigger fire last week that destroyed more than 160 homes. a survey says gas prices are holding steady dropping just a bit in the past three weeks, down about a penny a gallon. the average price is now $2.69 for regular. and the horror film "resident evil afterlife 3-d" took over the top spot at the weekend box office with more than $27 million. "takers" was second and george clooney's "the american" was third. now back outside to carl, natalie and al. >> thank you very much, ann. >> want to get a check on the weather from al. >> thank you so much. a nice-looking group here. where are you from? >> texas. >> all right. a lot of texans here. let's check your weather, see what's happening.

we'll show you hurricane eye-gor or igor depending on whether you watch "young frankenstein" or not. there's the path of the storm. by saturday taking aim at berda. we have tropical storm julia, 85 west-southwest of the cape verde islands. its path not so bad now. we'll keep an eye on that. and we've got a disturbed area of weather down around the gulf and the caribbean. for today, we've got a risk of strong storms in the northeast and the mid plains. beautiful weather up and down the west coast. k of

and that's your latest weather. natalie? >> all right, al. it's an awards show where anything can happen. the mtv video music awards were last night and didn't disappoint. this year's show featured surprises and a great night for lady gaga. here's george lewis. >> the vma for best music video goes to lady gaga. >> reporter: the evening belonged to lady gaga. nominated for 13 mtv video music awards, she took home eight of them. >> tonight little monsters are the cool kids at the party. >> tonight's vma goes to lady gaga. >> reporter: her "bad romance" video picked up award after award. >> god bless pop music and god bless mtv.

♪ >> reporter: teen heart throb justin bieber who performed for the audience outside nokia theater in los angeles was named the best new artist of the year. >> come from a little town in canada. i never thought i would be in this position. thank you to everybody. thank you to my fans. >> reporter: the real trademark of the show has been rock stars behaving badly. this year, host chelsea handler egged on the celebs in the audience. >> i want to encourage everyone to be on their worst behavior. [ cheers and applause ] >> reporter: there was that moment last year when taylor swift was accepting her award -- >> thank you so much for giving me a chance to win a vma award. >> reporter: -- and kanye west jumped on stage hogging the microphone. >> beyonce had one of the best videos of all time. >> reporter: west was condemned for doing that and even drew a rebuke from president obama. >> he's a jack-ass. >> reporter: as clips of the incident played on an old black

and white tv, swift sang about innocence and forgiveness. ♪ i guess you really did it this time ♪ >> reporter: west also performed ab obscenity-laced song poking fun at his critics and perhaps himself. ♪ >> reporter: making her first tv appearance since rehab, lindsay lohan kidded chelsea handler about alcohol abuse. >> you're a mess. do you think anybody wants to work with a drunk? take it from me. they don't. >> reporter: finally, video of the year and another win for lady gaga who, with tears in her eyes, managed a plug for her next song. ♪ i'm on the right track, baby >> reporter: another first for awards shows. the singing acceptance speech. for "today" george lewis, nbc news, los angeles. >> courtney, good morning. >> good morning. >> your overall take. last year was outrageous with

the whole kanye west smackdown of taylor swift. this year? >> it was pretty lack luster. you heard chelsea handler say, if you do anything, misbehave and nobody did anything that we are talking about today. what we are talking about today, of course, is the taylor swift/kanye swift moment that's been built up for a year. overall, not a lot to be memorable going forward. >> we saw with taylor swift, she actually sang that song about forgiveness and kanye west, again, a vulgar song performing. >> right. >> did that put that to bed? >> i think what's interesting is taylor swift's forgiveness ballad is something that we are now looking at saying, okay, maybe you should get over it. it was so drawn out and maybe overthought a little bit. in contrast to kanye west's song which was difficult to know what he was talking about between the auto tune and censoring, you

need closed captions to understand it. what we are talking about is what was he saying? what was his purpose? it didn't necessarily put anything to rest. >> lady gaga stole the show winning eight vmas. she was nominated for 13, an unprecedented amount of video music awards. always one to talk about the outfits. she didn't disappoint. >> the first outfit was something like bottacelli meets william tell. >> and the shoes. she had trouble getting on stage with those. >> the second outfit she said was too heavy for her to walk in. she needed people to help lift her from the seat. the third was a reprize of the rolling stone meat bikini cover. >> in japan. >> right. she wore something that looked like she swung by the whole foods' meat counter. >> looks like pancetta leftovers. >> it might be more shocking if

she were in khakis and a t-shirt. for now it's amusing and it was one of the more amusing parts of the night. >> how about chelsea handler as host? she's known for a raunchy sense of humor. >> i think people expected way over the top. this is a place that may not be her comfort zone. she's witty and has great insight into pop culture a lot of the time. a lot of her jokes may have fallen flat. one of those being lindsay lohan in the pre-tape intro. they were making jokes about her partying. >> what did you make of that? too soon? >> too soon indeed. it was so unfunny at the time and seemed to be unfunny to everyone. we're not ready for it to be funny because it doesn't seem lindsay lohan has recognized what happened. >> how does lilo make a come back? you would think the video music awards are the easiest way. >> her comeback has to come from hard work and a good movie.

just mocking herself isn't going to do it. >> meanwhile, justin bieber, as we heard, named best new artist of the year. you said in his performance last night, not the best performance. >> not the best performance. i think poor lip synching is the last reprehensible act in live music. we let them get away with so much. to not lip synch well at the vmas is almost unforgivable. luckily the justin bieber fans will let him ride it out, but a disappointing performance for him. >> and your favorite performance comes from a uk band called florence & the machine. >> that's right. i have to admit i didn't know who they were. i was like, who is this lady singing so well? first of all, it was a live performance. so many of these weren't live. when they were, they were a little bit off a la taylor

swift. she's been huge in the uk. she's at the top of the uk charts and has been for more than 50 weeks. the vmas can open our eyes to new talent and new music. it happened here. >> what do they need to do for next year? sounds like they are getting too predictable in your book. >> it is too predictable. there aren't enough live acts that are really well done. i think you need to appeal to a broader fan base, because even for people who really study a lot of this music and like to consider themselves on top of this game, there are so many acts that were just head scratchers. you need to have a more broad appeal. >> okay. thanks so much. >> thank you. >> check out more on msnbc.com/popculture. coming up, what do the college rankings really mean? we'll have advice on choosing the right college for your teen. up next, we'll tell you about the new affordable trend in

designer hotels right after this.

this morning on "today's travel" designer hotels. several top fashion designers from diesel to betsy johnson have turned their artistic eyes to hotels. many offering reasonable rates. nilou motamed is here. good to see you again. >> good to see you, al. >> is this a real trend that's becoming popular? >> it's actually a huge trend. the latest fashion accessory for designers is to have their own hotel. it kind of makes sense. fashion is all about fantasy and drama and hotels these days are all about bigger is better. and so how better for a fashion designer to show the 360 vision of the brand than to do a hotel.

>> and of course it's fashion week here in new york. >> it's perfectly timed. >> you must be all atwitter right now. the pelican hotel in miami, florida, created by the clothing company diesel. >> diesel is a very cool italian-based kind of jean and casual wear company and they -- or actually they're ahead of the curve with miami. they came in the '90s and saw this low-slung '40s motel and saw the potential and they turned into a cool destination spot. it's under $200 which is great and even lower during low season which is now. the rooms are so funny. they're themed differently. one is called me tarzan, you vein. you don't know if that's a translation thing from italian or if they were being clever. i think they're being clever. they are tongue in cheek. the cafe there is very, very cool. definitely a place to see a lot of beautiful people walking down ocean drive. >> out to the west coast. the parker palm springs. palm springs, california, designed by jonathan adler.

he was ahead of the curve 2004. >> he was ahead of the curve in terms of doing a new thing with interiors. he does gorgeous ceramics. people love his work. he went to the old merv griffin resort. that really takes you back. it needed an update but what's great about palm springs is it has all this history, the rat pack glamour. he added a little touch of the mod '60s, a little of the feel-good '70s and turned it into a great destination hotel and spa. they have wonderful -- three swimming pools, one of them which is all saltwater. they have clay tennis courts. croquet and patung. >> patung. >> you like that, right? under $300 and you can get better deals even than that. >> across the pond to edinborough, scotland. missoni hotel. i'm guessing it was designed by missoni. >> you don't miss anything.

you're too good. missoni is known for bright colors and textures. the head designer has taken all of those influences and put into the first hotel in edinborough. this is on the royal mile so it's kind of an interesting clash with kind of an italian brand coming to scotland. but it works perfectly. what's great about this hotel is if you book a month in advance -- which is a reasonable amount of time -- you get 20% off their rates. >> to ireland, the "g" hotel in galway designed by a hatmaker. >> not just a hatmaker, but the hatmaker to lady gaga, which we saw a lot of that at the vmas, to sarah jes issica parker. >> i would like a hat in meat. how do you pronounce his name? >> philip treacy. a very famous irish hatmaker. galway as you know is this beautiful part of western ireland. so there's a nice combination. again, it's a contrast, this very modern hotel that feels

like alice in wonderland in the middle of a charming town where there are great pubs and a place to have fish and chips and cozy stuff to eat. i think it is a good one. again the price is reasonable. >> $216 a night. >> honestly the prices are cheaper than it would be to get any of the clothes from these designers. >> so you don't have to get dressed. just stay in the hotel. >> just get under the sheets. >> finally finish up in new york city, the plaza hotel. betsey johnson. this is the grand one here. >> this is the opulent, the ott. >> personal suite designed by betsey johnson. >> this is a suite, not only designed by betsey johnson, but the theme is eloise. eloise is everyone's darling, the 6-year-old precocious who lived at the plaza. all little girls want to stay there. this is one they never want to leave because of all the incredible attention to detail, the hot pink. there's a neon sign above the bed that says eloise. you get lots of goodies if you stay in this room including monogrammed bath robe, $100 credit down in the store. if you can't stay this week

because it's a little pricey there is an eloise tea at the palm court which have all little girls love. it is a great thing for people coming into town to do. >> you know who else loves it? >> who? >> our director joe michaels. >> so sweet. >> nilou motamed, so good to see you as usual. >> thank you, al. all right. coming up tough as nails celebrity fitness trainer jackie warner going to kick you into shape with easy moves. first these messages.

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that's why i got them pillsbury toaster strudel. warm flaky pastry with delicious sweet filling my kids will love. plus i get two boxtops for their school. toaster strudel. the one kids want to eat. plus i get two boxtops for their school. hey, you guys. want to try activia's great new taste? isn't this the yogurt that, you know... helps regulate your digestive system. trust me. it is beyond tasty. mmm. this is really good! new best tasting activia ever! ♪ activia coming up we're going to hear from 15-year-old josie ratley who is making remarkable strides in her recovery after being viciously beaten in the so-called text rage incident. what the all-important

college rankings really meet. we get down to choosing the right colleges. plus delicious and easy pasta sauces with giada. dannon light & fit gives hope. we are sisters, daughters, wives, mothers. and together, we can help fight breast cancer.

go online, enter the code from your light & fit lid, and we'll make a 10 cent donation. give hope with every cup of light & fit.

but what really happened? cnn -- not me -- cnn says his assertion about his tax record was "just plain wrong." jerry brown went out there and took credit for the fact that the people of california voted for proposition 13, which lowered taxes, which he opposed. and now he's going around taking credit for it.

he raised taxes as governor of california. he had a surplus when he took office and a deficit when he left. he doesn't tell the people the truth. ♪ that is rock legend robert plant singing his hit single "angel dance." the former led zeppelin front man will tell us all about it tomorrow when he stops by on "today." >> stop for a moment and think about that. robert plant is going to be here on the "today" show tomorrow. >> got to be somewhere. >> just makes us feel kind of good about ourselves. >> were you a big l.e.d. fan ede

day? >> i think everyone. >> you were not? >> i mean i like -- nice enough guys. didn't buy an album. >> did you like led zeppelin? this is kind of -- anyway -- >> it's good. we always have the new performers and now bringing back some of the old. like that. on a more serious note coming up in this half hour we'll hear from 15-year-old josie ratley. >> as you know, she's the teenager who almost lost her life when she was brutally beaten about six months ago in a case of text rage. today she is making remarkable progress on her recovery after three brain surgeries taking small steps, learning colors and the alphabet. we'll talk about choosing the right college. many families base their choices on the high profile college ranking lists. what do those lists really mean when it comes to choosing a quality education for your son or daughter? we're going to tell you what you

should consider to help you make the right choice. and la vida, was that led zeppelin? close enough. speaking of kids they're going to devour these three pasta dishes from giada de laurentiis. she's making three simple sauces you can have on hand to have with any pasta to save you time during a busy workweek. >> and you're so emotional. >> last night i was out singing with a led zeppelin cover band. >> do you think you have the voice to do the weather? >> let's find out. let's check it out. show you for the week ahead, we've got below normal temperatures and showers in new england, also in the plains. above normal temperatures for much of the rest of the country. midweek period still a little chilly and wet central plains and the great lakes. latter part above normal out west and c

and that's your latest weather. carl. >> al, thanks. coming up next wk the vicmti of a vicious text rage beating on the road to recovery.

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like apple and sheer cinnamon. winter luxury by air wick. also available in scented oils. activia has delicious news for dessert lovers. often, the best part of a meal is the dessert. but sometimes after a busy day and a heavy greasy dinner... my system needs some tlc. now there is something new. introducing activia dessert. rich, silky, smooth yogurt with desserty flavors like strawberry cheesecake, blueberry cheesecake, and peach cobbler. and because it's activia, it helps regulate my digestive system. mmm. works for me. ♪ activia new activia dessert. it's been six months since teenager josie ratley was beaten nearly to death outside her florida middle school. police say it was at the hands of a boy she didn't know after

angry text messages between them. now for the first time since the incident we're hearing from josie. nbc's michelle kosinski sat down with her. michelle, good morning. >> good morning, natalie. as a new school year here now but by no means has anybody forgotten what happened here six months ago when josie ratley was savagely beaten police say by a boy her own age now charged as an adult with attempted murder. but we were able to meet her for the first time the other day and almost couldn't believe it was her. what a difference. she's now walking and talking. she had been in a medically induced coma. she had three brain surgeries and does still have a long way to go. this is her story. this smiling, thoughtful young woman is josie ratley today. out for pizza with her mother. you might say here's any 15-year-old. all nail polish and lip gloss and music. >> miley cyrus. >> reporter: josie had us laughing chatting about an

upcoming concert she'll see with her mom. >> but you have stay in the back of me. >> she doesn't want her mom to embarrass her. >> reporter: your mom could look like a teenager, though, i bet. those little moments of teenage embarrassment, even attitude. >> okay, hold it. >> reporter: are such a beautiful thing. it is hard to believe this was josie six months ago. part of her left brain so damaged, it had to be removed. five months ago, a heartbreaking struggle. today -- >> so what is that color? it's your favorite word. >> blue. >> and this letter? >> ga. >> it would be da. >> reporter: struggle is still very much a part of josie's life but with her cognitive therapist alicia ann fauci who is volunteering her time, she has made strides. >> "l." >> "l."

that spells like levi. >> yeah, exactly. awesome! how many do we have now? ready? >> ten. >> good. >> reporter: josie was a talented artist. this is her work. now, she still loves art but can no longer draw. she has learned to color. >> good, you're using your right hand. awesome. >> reporter: and is very particular. >> and with the leaves do -- you use this one. >> i went out of the lines, so she's outlining it off to make it perfect. imagine have ing showering to the simplest words. >> what is this? >> fork. >> good. what do you do with a fork? >> reporter: she's just starting her abc's again. >> what sound does "a" make? >> ah. >> good. and what is that a picture of? >> apple. >> reporter: can run through colors. >> red, green, red -- >> reporter: but often gets stuck on blue. her brain finds a way around it. >> sky. >> it's what? >> in the sky. >> okay. it's in the sky, right. so the sky color is what? blue.

>> reporter: these days have been bittersweet for her mother. >> she looks wonderful. but the inside is still healing. it seems like she remembers pieces and stuff like that from the past, but she doesn't remember too much of the present. >> reporter: and she has no idea what happened to her, does she? >> no, not at all. she says, you know, i used to know how to read and i can't read now. >> i can't do that. >> say not now. >> never. >> don't ever say never. >> never say never. you can. >> it's kind of like if you have take a jigsaw puzzle and throw it all over the table that's what happened to her brain. now we're putting the puzzle back together piece by piece. >> she has been putting this puzzle together -- >> we all hope for 100%, you know, but no one knows what the limit is going to be. i have a lot of conversation with god about that. she's everything. and if he took that away from me -- >> reporter: emotion is a constant. but mom hilda says small

victories are starting to win out. >> this morning i couldn't find my glasses and i got upset. and she goes, mom, really? she says, you are going to get all upset for a pair of glasses? that gives me -- and of course i have tears in my eyes and she goes, mom, don't start crying. because i'm always hiding it. it's hard not to cry. school bus was on the side of the car. she goes, mom, i remember i was on one of those. and i says, yeah. i said, do you miss that? not really, she goes. you know. so i was just quiet, you know. she goes you're not crying, are you? i said, no. >> let's put it together. good. getting better at this. >> just don't give up on my baby. still send prayers. >> reporter: in fact, we asked

josie's mother what she needed and she said only prayers. those close to her, though, say josie could use games for her wii system, puzzles and things to stimulate her mind and said her mother could use a lot of help around the house just caring for josie but that would take more resources than she has at the moment. >> we hope the people there in the community sure do step up and help out after all that young lady has been through. such a picture of strength there. michelle kosinski, thanks so much. great story. coming up next, the truth about those all-important college rankings. a

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if yir high school junior or senior has been doing a lot of extra home work trying to figure out what college to apply to, he or she may be starting with the college ranking lists. but is that the best place to start and what do those rankings really mean? here with perspective kaat cowen from ivy wise. there are four major college rankings and guides, right? >> right. "u.s. news & world report" which is the oldest one out there, "forbes," princeton review and kaplan "newsweek" guide came out today. >> these have different criteria? >> they all have different criteria and they use multiple resources. so i can't get into all of them but i can tell you a little bit about each one. "u.s. news & world report" is looking at the school's activity, alumni giving and for the first time, high school guidance counselors. forbes is emphasizing post

graduate success, student satisfaction and student debt. princeton review has ranked the schools into 62 different categories from the academic to art. where professors get high marks. and the "newsweek" rankings, they've taken 13 different lists and had top 25 in each list. so you've got things like the most desirable schools to the schools that are the best for do-gooders and things like that. they use things like the academic qualifications of admitted students and the school's endowment. >> sounds like they're good to cross-reference with and probably these different criteria also explains why a college like sarah lawrence was ranked 13 by princeton and 170 by forbes. >> right. and they rank differently on different lists. and that sarah lawrence isn't even ranked by "u.s. news & world report" and it didn't show up on any of the "newsweek" top

25 lists. but then you have schools like williams which does show up at the top of all of these lists, one on u.s. news best liberal arts and number one forbes best college list and number two on "newsweek's" most desirable rural schools and number four on most desirable small schools. you're seeing some schools that are on the top of every list. >> should a drop in ranking send up a red flag? >> it shouldn't, because the criteria can change from year to year on the same list. and that can affect a school's position on the list from year to year. just because a school has gone up or down doesn't mean that the school is significantly better or worse. so, for example, forbes last year ranked duke number 104. but this year it's ranked number 41 which is a 63-place difference. it doesn't mean duke has inherently changed that much. it's that the criteria has changed. >> i see. so then how do we factor these rankings into our thinking as we start thinking about these colleges? >> well, i think they are a good

starting point for your research and it's a great place also to maybe discover schools you haven't heard of before. but it's important to know that just because a school is number one doesn't mean it's the number one school for you or your student. and you really need to come up with your own rankings. we encourage students to really think about the criteria that's important to them and come up with their own personalized list of hopefully ten first choice schools. >> and to do that, they've got to do some things, some leg work, for example -- you have actually a lipps of suggestions about how we can develop our own criteria. >> yes. students should become familiar with the schools themselves. they can visit the campus or do a virtual tour. look up the courses, professors, learn something about those professors who are teaching those courses. you can look at the resources at the schools, the extracurricular activities you might get involved in on and off campus or internship or career placement programs. you also definitely want to use your high school college counselor. that's a great resource to use.

>> exactly, because he or she can really guide you into thinking -- because he or she may have a sense of your child and what to be looking for. i'm in the throes of this, so i know this is really important advice. thank you so much. >> thanks for having me. >> really appreciate it. >> for more information logon to our website which is at todayshow.com. coming up next, three easy pasta sauces that will save you

this morning on "cooking with giada" pasta sauce made simple. with kids back in school and full day of work it can be hard to time tinld for a hearty meal. giada de laurentiis has three simple pasta sauces. you can't go wrong with pasta for the kids. >> no. i think parents love pasta. it's an easy way to fill up the

kids and give them some nutritious. three easy ways. 1 1/2 sticks of butter. all the kids love butter. melt the butter and then add a tablespoon of fresh thyme. this is kind of a spin on the classic which is buttered sage but the thyme is lemoner and gives more body and flavor and lightens it up. that melts. you add the thyme. you let that all kind of melt together just for like two minutes and then pour it over ravioli. i like it with stuffed pasta. so any kind of ravioli. next vodka sauce. love vodka sauce. three cups of marinara store bought. wrong one. sorry. a cup of vodka. >> wow! >> there we go. you cook this down for 20 minutes. obviously all of the vodka doesn't evaporate but most does. it gives a little heat in the back of the throat which is why i love it. after 20 minutes add half a cup of heavy cream and half a cup of

parmesan cheese. this is what it looks like. >> kind of a more brownish color. >> it's kind of creamy, just like that. >> and if you wanted to, you could replace the heavy cream with a lighter one if you wanted. but you don't want to. you don't want to! >> if you want to. but after you taste this lovely spaghetti with vodka sauce, you won't want to. but for a lighter spin, something that you -- >> this is very healthy. >> this is really healthy. i use some walnuts. it's a spicy pesto. jalapeno. if you use the seeds it can be spicier. so decide how much jalapeno you want to add. add no seeds if you want. two garlic cloves, arugula, asiago cheese. you must take a bite. >> ordered by giada to take a bite. >> hi, come on in. this can be cold. it can be a snack or side dish. add shrimp or chicken or beef or anything to this. >> you made this with walnuts and not pine nuts?

>> walnuts, gentlemanly pena, garlic, spinach, arugula. >> we like this. >> i'm going to try one of each. >> those ravioli and vodka sauce with spaghetti. >> you have helped solve our dinner problems with the kids as usual. >> vegetable in there. pasta sauce. all of it is in there. much more -- carl, you want to eat a bite of this? >> i do. to eat a bite of this? >> i do. move over! sweet n' sour filled twizzlers. the twist you can't resist.

>> gf morning, everybody.

let's check your forecast. >> once again, lots of low clouds to start the day. as we go through the afternoon, you'll see the low clouds breaking up inland. pretty nice day, 78 livermore, oakland, san francisco only 67 around santa cruz, 75 san jose, morgan hills will climb into the upper 70s today, about the same forecast tomorrow, at least thursday and friday for inland valleys, a lake week warm-up around the bay area. california public utilities commission is demanding pg & e test its natural gas lines for leaks across the state. they say the section of pipeline 2 1/2 miles north of the explosion site in san bruno was set to be repaired in 2012. it was deemed a high risk to fail. the day after the explosion, they tested a section that runs through south san francisco and found no leaks there. mark tony heads the utility watchdog group and says san

bruno isn't the only high-risk spot in the area. >> there are other pipelines that are old, that have been identified as high risk for leaks, and that are in the process of being replaced. >> public documents show another high-risk pipeline runs for eight miles between livermore and sunol, a four-mile test line in fremont is also considered high risk. a new park in the east bay is starting to take shape. the east bay regional park district is buying the first 640 acres in property in the canyon between dublin and livermore. the land will provide the core of the park. hikers, horse riders and mountain bikers and campers are expected to use the park. the district approved the option to buy the land by the end of march for $6.4 million. more local news in a half hour and the "today" show returns in about a minute. see you back here after a while.

as governor, he cut waste got rid of the mansion and the limo budgets were balanced. $4 billion in tax cuts. world class schools and universities. clean energy promoted. 1.9 million new jobs created. california was working. i'm jerry brown. california needs major changes. we have to live within our means; we have to return power and decision making to the local level-closer to the people and no new taxes without voter approval. jerry brown the knowledge and know-how to get california working again.

from nbc news, this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> hello, everybody. it is fun day, september 13th. it was a big, big weekend around heren new york, so much going on. hope you had a good one. >> it was rocking and rolling. you were busy, weren't you? >> i was busy, but i was rocking and rolling like you, hoda. >> i rocked a little bit. a little bit. here's the thing, i had never -- fashion night out, they have it on the friday night of the beginning of fashion week, and i wasn't 100% clear on what it was. madison avenue is just people walking in and out of stores -- >> like a block party.

>> yeah, like 11:00 at night, street fair. if you walked down madison on a normal day in new york, people brush by you, excuse me -- >> they don't 50urusually say ee me. >> they just walk by and whack you. it was very bourbon street-ish, minus the booze, but it was so fun. i mean, i couldn't -- i'm not even interested in shopping, like that's not for me. >> yes. >> but i liked that. that was at saks. saks had another party. they had all the fashion designers in one place at one time. >> and that was hosted by anna wintour. she had a big weekend. she watched the loss. >> i want nadal because the other guy i never even heard of. >> djokovic, right? >> yeah, yeah, exactly. >> he -- i felt bad for him, because the crowd was not really with him. >> i wanted federer so bad to

win that. >> he had his time. he's won everything. you've got to let other people in life, hoda. >> give it up, all right? >> you're intosports this weekend. >> i went to a friend's wedding. my friend mike was my director in high school, married his beautiful bride victoria. went to that a little bit, had some friends over and then yesterday went to watch the giants, they beat the carolina panthers 31-18. it was not pretty. >> it wasn't pretty in the beginning. >> frank goes, cassie, it's a quarter, not an act. it is not an intermission, it is halftime. you would think after 24 years i would get it. we played a stadium, not a theater. but anyway -- >> frank is out there at halftime. >> we were in the box. we got there two hours early. i said why do they want us there

so early. now i know why. >> why? >> i baby sat 24 of the maris grandchildren. they have so many grandchildren, unbelievable. but, cody wasn't here, but i texted him back and forth. cas and frank went down on the field. frank disappeared into the legacy room. >> what goes on there? >> as i said, they said, where's frank, i said the legend is in the legacy room. apparently a new stadium is gorgeous. what do you want for a billion six? >> no kidding. >> he disappeared and he was over there doing what he does best, being legendary. and then he went out on the field with harry carson and, oh, gosh, just now forgetting the name of the other gentleman that was -- they did the toss. and anyway, it was fun. it is so much fun to sit there with mrs. mara because she's the matriarch of really all of the nfl now. and she's in there, the two boxes with all the kids, all the grandchildren, i mean, great

grandchi grandchildren, the archbishop dolan was in there. and to hear this little thing come out with what she comes out with when the team doesn't -- >> what does she say? >> she's just feisty. she doesn't do anything -- no, no, no. she lets her feelings be known. it is a lot of fun and we're always delighted to be up there with her. >> a lot of people last night were watching sports, the vmas were on, the video music awards. those are always some -- they're very chatty. chelsea handler hosted, first time a woman hosted in nine years. and there was a little bit at the top of the show which i thought was cool, it was with her and lindsay lohan. >> a surprise appearance. >> a surprise. i think it was on tape. but let's listen. >> have you been drinking? >> no. >> really? why is your ankle bracelet going off? >> oh, that just means my table is ready at the cheesecake factory. >> wake up, handler. pull it together! you're a mess. do you think anyone wants to work with a drunk? take it from me, they don't. >> okay, okay. you turned your life around.

maybe i can too. >> that's the spirit kid, now go get them. >> that was a cute open. >> she did herself a good service last night. >> i do too. >> i think people are really pulling for her now. "the times" were not kind to chelsea's hosting skills. i watched a half an hour of it because i was -- >> going to bed. >> and everything else. i think she's a very talented girl. i just think she's better skem brainiously than scripted. >> lady gaga won almost every award. >> 20 people are to help you up on stage with each award you win, maybe you could think about that, i'm probably going to win a few. >> she did say she didn't think she was going to win this one and had to lug that big dress up. >> like princess diana, 20 people carrying her dress. what is that? >> we have to cut to cher. this was the meat one. that's made of meat. let's go to cher first.

cher looked awesome, by the way. >> cher always looks awesome. >> so far i'm the oldest chick with the biggest hair and the littlest costume. all right, back in the day i used to get thrown off mtv for wearing things like that which seems so tame now. and that was when lady gaga was baby gaga and marshall mather, i guess his biggest thing is whether he should buy peanut or plain m&ms. >> cute. she's a pro. >> she is a pro. >> she's in her 60s. look at that body. >> how is that possible? what is she doing? what kind of workout is that? that's sheer and there are no spanx going on. >> she admits to help along the way. i would like to know who helped her so i can find them and get in line. >> you have to see the lady gaga outfit, she walked up -- >> it was meat. >> it was meat. it was the hat and the shoes.

what she said after the hug -- >> i don't think i would hug a woman wearing meat. >> she said, i never thought i would be asking cher to hold my meat bag. >> i never thauldought i would asking cher to hold my meat purse. thank you so much. i was so scared i would let my fans down. thank you so much. i promised if i won this tonight, i would announce the name of my new record. good night. >> doing one of her thanks as -- >> that one. she sang that thank you. >> she's very, very talented. i wouldn't want the -- there is so much pressure in showbiz anyway and then what kind of meat am i going to wear tonight? you know, so much burden to life. >> that's a real meat outfit. >> we decide every morning what color, you know. that's it. >> cheese texture. >> what flavor she has to

decide. it is unbelievable. >> our favorite things time. >> our favorite things. >> i'll do mine while yours comes. while jerry is getting kathie lee -- >> jerry pauled an ann mara over there. >> this is called body butter by bliss. i love it. i love it a lot. i love it because sara haines gave it to me as a present, which i adore. it is the best kind of lotion -- >> i do regift. but this is -- here, try a little. it is so creamy, it is not oily, it has cocoa butter in it. >> very nice. >> we're go to go -- let's go to sara. >> my favorite thing is new color by opi, ski teal we drop. look at this. i have it on. it is crazy. and i don't get tattoos or piercings so this is as good as it gets. i was at the fashion night out and i ran into you and we have a little flavor for those who don't get to do this kind of stuff. so let's check it out.

>> is fashion week a big thing for you? >> it is. it is big for the city at large. this year seems massive and exciting. it is good. it is a lot of fun. >> fashion night out is the most important night to me. it is really showing the customer what is exciting in fashion in the moment. >> they want to shop. people love fashion, they love the celebrity aspect of it and they want to see what's new. >> i don't think anybody had any idea that anyone would even turn up and they did and they had a great time and they went shopping and the minute the night was over, i got a lot of phone calls saying will you do it again this year. >> i think the beauty of fashion night out is to bring the customer into the stores and see fall. >> i'm still loving short skirts with lots of detail. you can take any little mini like i'm wearing now with a great t-shirt or sweater, pair it up with thick tights for fall and this is great. right now, just starting to get a chill, to like all the way through to march. >> she's back on. she's going.

>> all righty. so a lot of fun. >> what happened? where's sara? she's gone. >> it was a lot of fun. >> cool, excellent. nice job, sara. this is supposedly my favorite thing. but i took one look at it and this is not as i remembered my favorite thing. so i'm going to save it for next week. >> you can't tease us. >> this is not the same stuff. >> don't do it. >> the same stuff, i can't do it. i can't lead my folks astray. want to say hi to dan black visiting with me from los angeles. he's my attorney big stuff. big important stuff. >> he's here to kick some you know what. >> there he is. we have got the neal sedaka. he's in the house. now he's writtenchires book and it is wa"waking up is hard to do". we'll be right back after this. ♪ [ female announcer ] the best way to tell how great you look

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tell a friend about fresh and you'll both get a free tub... that now comes with a cottonelle easy reach hanger -- so it's always right where you need it. so go on, get fresh with a friend! back in the days of the jukebox, music icon neil sedaka

wrote and recorded a song that took on a life of its own. >> it was 1962 and the song was "breaking up is hard to do." it had so much success that he leased a slow version of it 10 years later. >> fast-forward to now, the days ofdo of downloads and sedaka is back with something for the younger generation, a much younger generation. >> it is called "waking up is hard to do," a song and a children's book. >> grandchildren inspired this whole thing. my three. >> they're the cutest. i saw them in california. they're adorable. >> the twin girls and the little boy. >> how old are they, neil? >> charlotte and amanda are 7. >> twins. >> there they are. michael is 5, just 5. i made a cd a couple of years ago called "waking up is hard to do." it was so successful that this wonderful book publisher said, we want a book called "waking up is hard to do." so the next one is going to be

"i love my dinosaur pet". >> and -- ♪ lunch lunch will keep us together ♪ >> that's our whole theme song. >> the whole series will be coming out. >> that's great. how are kids taking to the songs, though, neil? >> i have three original songs at the back of the book. and, you know, i was in the bril building, the hooks are catchy and kids always went for those kinds of things, very singable songs. and i have been so busy. i have a show coming out in the west end in london. i just flew in from london last night. >> and he's going to be -- can we say -- when it comes to the theater in england, london, you're going to be a part of it for five weeks as it gets going. >> yes. it is called "laughter in the rain." it is the story of neil sedaka. ♪ laughter in the rain walking hand in hand with the one i love ♪ >> the guy who --

♪ oh, how i love the rainy days ♪ >> jersey boys, move over. >> move over. >> it goes to the west end from my birth to age 35, somebody plays me, liba, my mother, my father, elton john. >> it tends with you getting your first number one single "laughter in the rain." >> yes it does. >> isn't that great. >> was that a tough road to get that first number one? >> elton john resurrected me. i was out of work for 12 years and i was a ghost from the '50s. he said, neil sedaka is a valid singer/songwriter. and then -- >> captain and taneel. >> i'm so excited because i'm record my first symphony with the london philharmonic, going full circle back to my roots. i was afraid to write classical all these years. >> you love to play it, though. >> you came to the house.

>> yeah, he just started playing brahms, want to come over? we all would, we would sit in the living room. >> 50 people that day, you came. anyway, i've written my first symphony and first piano concheco concerto. >> and no arthritis. >> no arthritis. >> your book is for what age? >> i would say 2 to 6. and we're doing -- >> we should talk about your illustrator because they're charming illustrations. you want to mention that person. >> mr. nearis, a wonderful illustrator. i think it is wonderful that little children are introduced to reading and to books. >> but then when they hear the real song on the radio, they go, mommy, it doesn't go like that. >> it is not the same. >> neil, we love you. good luck. >> we're going to come, frank and i, to west end, i'll drag hoda. >> the kid who plays me is fabulous. >> he better be. >> handsome and great. >> just like neil himself.

coming up next, jackie warner holds "thintervention." yy with delicious sweet filling my kids will love. plus i get two boxtops for their school. toaster strudel. the one kids want to eat. and these are the ones you'll love on a tuesday. pillsbury crescent dogs, with just a few ingredients, you have an easy to make dinner. they're crescents for the other 364. try them tonight. so i couldn't always do what i wanted to do. but five minutes ago, i took symbicort, and symbicort is already helping significantly improve my lung function. so, today,

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a lot of you know jackie warner as a fitness guru and celebrity trainer from her reality series "workout" on our sister network on bravo. >> she has the same jaw droppingly tight abs but a brand-new look and a brand-new show called "thintervention" with jackie warner. >> i brought something for you. two cookies. that's what you had, when you cheated with the other night. >> yeah, it is. >> this is 140 calories. we're going to work off this 140 calories right now. this will count how many calories you're going to burn off because you're going to hit the stairs and hit them holding here you go, hit it. hit the stair coming up. >> that's one cookie? >> you wish. >> how many times is a cookie? >> i always wanted to know. really? >> no. >> it is. 43 calories. keep going.

>> that's it? >> first of all, you made him hold the cookies. that was cruel. >> they were sweaty and broken when we were finished with that. i was trying to show him the pleasure pain principle. >> they don't equal out, do they? >> they do not. i had to get them to attach to workouts as being very pleasurable, which they are for me. and cookies and candy and that junk that was keeping them heavy and low self-esteem is very painful. it is not worth it. >> you just touched on the whole issue. i know i have to work out. but you just said it is fun for you. you love it. >> yeah. >> i hate every minute of it. how can we get to the love for it that you have? >> well, you told me that just before this you told me you were running again. don't you -- >> i hate it. >> she hates it. >> don't you at any point, but you love the result. look at your body. look at your bodies. >> i like the result. i'm not loving it yet, because i ain't you. but i think that's the biggest

problem most people don't enjoy working out. they see it as a trial, not a joy. >> well, here's the thing, chemicals are released, endorph endorphins, dopamine. it is very quick. >> would never happen to me. >> with intense workouts i also teach them on the show what intensity means. i have that don't stop until you drop that goes to muscle failure principle that is very intense exercise and that releases the chemicals. >> i think what makes the show unique is it is not like a -- you're not in a house together, you're going to people's homes and it seems like it is a bit more real than some of the other reality shows. >> it is completely real. they have to take my tools, i say i'm not the star of the show, they are. as the cameras follow them home, they take my tools, i give them the advice, they have to go home and live it, go to the bars, the restaurants and their personal lives and live it. >> is there a theme about what is the hardest part for people? what is it? >> it is self-esteem building. basically how do i turn -- how do i turn self-loathing into

self-loving? that's what the entire show is about. it is about building self-esteem and here's how you do it. you have to set small achievable goals every day and achieve them like we were children and studied for a test and we got an a, that built self-esteem. when we procrastinated and didn't study, that built self-loathing as children. remember, we are all children still as adults and we have to still apply ourselves and reach those goals. >> jackie, we wish you good luck with the though. >> thank you. >> you must be thrilled it is not about your personal life. >> i'm so thrilled. so thrilled. >> it is going to be on tonight at 10:00. >> yes. >> on bravo. that's 9:00 central. good luck with the show. >> all the best to you. >> thank you so much. do we want to medically become our mother? i think so. plus, the cheat sheet in case you missed it last night about the vmas. my husband's work shirt, my red dress, and... my daughter's favorite tee... all in one load. shout color catcher absorbs the colors that run.

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♪ no, we didn't. ♪ we're the kids in america ♪ oh, oh, oh ♪ we're the kids in america ♪ oh, oh, oh what matters to you, this is "today in the bay". good morning, everybody. i'm brent cannon. time 10:26. withth rorob. >> the story of the morning so far is the low cloud cover and tiend kind of a mild start to the day. patchy low clouds inland until about lunchtime. the clouds will hang out on the coast. 60s and 70ss more high today, a bit of a warm-up thursday and friday. lots of 50s to get your day started, low 70s lunchtime will areas south of san jose and east of fremont on our way to mid to upper 70s inland. 60s on the coast. thursday and friday, turning a

inland. er inom. land more news coming up after this. ñ

developing news out of san bruno this morning. take a look at some incredible exclusive video we just got into the newsroom a short time ago. it shows the fireball from the explosion the day it happened. watch the left side of your screen and you'll see the flames spreading across. the fire eventually destroyed nearly 50 homes and damaged dozens of others. investigators are now trying to

confirm how many people died, but so far the death toll stands at four, with four others still missing. at least 60 are injured, some of them critically. the explosion blew part of a 28-foot-long pipe into the street into the air, kind of at an angle, creating an crater 167 feet long and 26 feet wide. more on this story at 5:00 and 6:00 and more on this incredible surveillance video from across the street at a gas station taken moments before the explosion and which is going to really help investigators understand better what took place that day. of course, we're following this story all morning long. the governor going high-tech to show off what he's doing in shanghai, china, today. a few hours ago he visited a factory where workers are putting together the new bay bridge. you can see him pointing to a large portion of the bridge in this one. the new bay bridge is scheduled to be finished in late 2013. thanks for joining us this

morning. "today" continues coming up next. join us 5:00 and 6:00 tonight, the latest from that san bruno explosion. have a great day.s ♪ light it up like it's dynamite ♪ we're covering last night's mtv's video music awards. >> here with the scoop, bonnie fuller and roseanne coletti. >> hi, ladies. >> you watched, i take it. >> absolutely. >> the outfits stole the show, gaga's outfits, right? >> how could you not be glued to the raw meat dress and the stage made me hungry. >> this looked like the nbc peacock, i have to say. how do you walk in those shoes? >> those shoes were crazy.

>> i did see that award. but what struck me was not seeing gaga dressed like that, because we're used to that, but how uncomfortable ellen degeneres was being the first presenter after what had happened at the beginning of the show. am i wrong? >> she's a vegan. she's a vegan. she knew what was coming up with gaga. i think that made her uncomfortable too. >> she had already called her to task for that and presented her with a vegan bikini and said if you want to make a statement -- >> that would have been interesting if she war a vegetable bikini. >> kanye and taylor, there was a lot about them outdoing themselves and it was so spontaneous the first time around. >> it happened last night and it surprised us all. it was organic to the night. when you try to plan and how to get back, it is not good. >> it got overhyped. didn't you feel it was like a --

it went on and on and on. her song went on and on and on. >> it was perfect typecasting too. he was dressed all in red, looked like the devil, the language was -- >> can't find a clip. >> we had to bleep him out throughout the whole song. >> it was an amazing number, though. >> her song was so sad and i felt like she is too forgiving. she's calling him innocent and he's 32 years old. >> i thought she was talking about herself, actually, when she said innocent. >> i think she was talking about him. that's too much forgiveness. >> she's remained a lady through this whole thing. what i do want to say about her is she is a great role models for young girls. i have a 17 dwreer-year-old and is a lot of people out there whose behavior is -- she's a lady and a hard working talented girl. >> she is. she looked beautiful. >> she sure did. >> i thought that was a wonderful retro makeup. >> aren't the vmas raunchier than i remember? i don't remember them being so icke. >> i think you're right.

i think from the get go, from the opening of the whole show and that was a running theme throughout. it was distracting. for me it was a little distracting to what the awards should have been. >> they didn't have a big gag setup, like remember when britney and madonna kissed, we had no big moment like that. >> what have we come to though when we can't have an awards assembly and awards show based on the talented people themselves, not what they're going to get and the outrageous stuff they're going to do. >> don't you think eminem and rihanna, i thought that was pure talent. he was voicing his feelings about his drug problems. >> you saw like the group from "jackass" presenting the waawar and the guy pulled his pants off -- >> and the "jersey shore" cast must bes in t members in the tub. >> what about justin bieber lip syncing.

he was getting flack for that. >> they always get flack for lip syncing. it is a music show. you're not supposed to cheat. >> his dancing had improved. did you notice that? >> i thought his dancing was great. >> he took it to the next level. i guess it is hard to sing and dance like that. usher had the same problem. >> and what was the last thing we were going to discuss? >> jennifer aniston and john mayer, getting back together? >> they got back together this weekend. she went backstage, she went to a show in atlanta, she went backstage, they took a party over to her hotel, got a suite, hung out. this guy has kind of kissed and told on her three times. >> why would you -- why do you think you deserve that kind of person? >> she likes him. >> yeah, but when someone mistreats you or -- >> i don't understand it at all why she keeps going back for more. he's nine years younger, he's immature. he talked about her in "rolling stone". i think it says something about her. >> maria lo lopez and his

girlfriend had a girl. >> six pounds something. >> are they getting married? what is the story? >> no word about marriage. >> they are talking about a second baby. he says he wants three. >> speaking of relationships, liam -- >> he had cameras there. how strange. >> he's going to write a book. >> she was so tough and so strong during the whole thing, and i peeked over to to much an you don't want to do that. it was like a "csi" episode. >> men are wimps. >> he wants to write a book about parenting. >> that's why god gave women the responsibility, right there. thanks so much, ladies. we'll see you soon. up next, tell me the truth, have i become my mother? >> a little bit. >> is that so bad? >> not really. >> right after this. where? it's really good. do you see it? it's called hope. hope? yeah. hope. i don't see any hope. i don't see any hope in here. you can't see it there, but you can see it here...

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it is time for "today's family." an interesting look at the mother/daughter dynamic and something almost every daughter wonders. >> am i becoming my mother? here to weigh in are lifestyle expert harriette cole and the authors of "secrets of "jewish mother". >> is it a genetic thing, do we become our mothers or something through behavior we watch and emulate? >> i think it is a dual kind of thing. many of us look like our

mothers. i look like my mother. we also behave like our mothers and it makes sense. we grow up with them. >> there is your mother. >> she is here. she is a beautiful woman. >> yeah. we grow up with them, we learn the values of our mothers, of our families through our mothers. so it makes sense that at a certain point it clicks in and then you hear yourself and you say something or you do something. >> hello. >> or your face, or your rear end. >> what do you and your sister think? >> i'm exactly like my mother. but in a good way. i do sound like her. i actually literally sound like her. clean up the room, the clean up -- allison, clean up your room, you're a p-i-g. she can spell now. she's watching. take your medicine and don't forget a sweater when you leave the house. i used to yell, i know i need a sweater and now i do the same thing she does. >> i do that to frank now.

poor frank. >> lisa, do you catch yourself when you're doing it. do you say, that's something my mom does. >> or the words or the intonation that comes out of your mouth and you're like, is that my mother that just spoke. we put a quiz at the end of the book. how do you know you're a -- the last question was are you starting to sound like your own mother? is that a goyell in yiddish, if you're not married, you better watch it. >> how do we learn as young children. our children learn the world through us before any other outward affects and influences on them. so how do we learn as mature women as we're growing how to keep the best of what we learn from our moms and how to avoid what she maybe had problems with? >> i think it is practicing awareness. when you notice that you're doing something that your mother does, you're behaving the way your mother does, then you can evaluate it. is this a good thing?

does this make me feel good? or does this really bother me. i think it takes a lot of discipline, but if it is a bad behavior, you can stop it at your generation. you don't have to keep it and pass it on. >> you have to work hard. >> good luck. >> in our family dynamic, we had an unusual situation, i adored my grandma, my mother's mother, but the truth is, may she rest in peace, my mother and her mother did not get along, and our mother raised us very consciously. my mom did it this way, i'm doing it another way. so i learned from a parent who consciously changed a lot of the patterns. >> it can be done. >> she changed. >> yeah. >> we can't change them. we can change ourselves. >> remember that, hoda. >> got it. >> i feel like we know gloria. what are the best parts that you think you took from her? >> generosity. >> yeah. and being a friend. my mother is the most loyal, good-natured, she would give -- she gives her advice. my mom gives aamazing advice and

gives it away for free. >> both of your moms are -- >> do you think your kids turned out like you? >> i'm crying. >> that's the other question. when do we get -- we asked this last week, when do we stop mothering and become our mother's friend and vice versa? >> i think around 30. first of all, when i turned 30, i didn't have kids yet, but when i turned 30, i actually called to apologize and said, you've been so patient, thank you so much. and our dynamic changed. but after having my daughter, i realized, i always knew my mother was a great mother, but after that, i was like, wow, you did so much. >> when i became a mother, i knew how hard it was. >> you haven't had children yet. how is it for you? >> we have always been really close. i hope i take the good things from her. she has so few bad things. >> there we are with our moms. >> doris, you did good, by the way, with harriette.

>> did done good. >> just to remind you of your mother. >> just for a second. ladies, thank you. good luck with your book still. it is out there on the shelves. >> up next -- >> delicious one pot meals cooked low and slow. >> the way i like it. >> after this. ring ring. progresso. everyday i eat your soups, i save a lot of money. that's great. so, your rich and hearty soups have made me, rich and hearty. that's funny. i'm hearty because of your juicy steak, your potatoes... you're really, rich and happy. [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup.

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an easy choice. time for "today's kitchen." we're getting saucy with irian duarte, author of "culinaryian". >> she's here to turn up the heat on your slow cooker and to make some hearty slow cooked meals. >> we came home from the game last night and had soup. you want something like that. >> you could have started this in the morning. >> had i known. >> next game, next game. this is a beef brisket with a play on corned beef and cabbage.

we're using beef, but st. paddy's day, use corned beef. >> that's what lady gaga had last night. >> she'll need one of these. >> you put that in the crock pot. >> these are red bliss potatoes. carrots. >> look how big and chunky too. >> you want them like that because it is going to cook for eight hoyers. >> that's what the french do too. >> it is about the heartiness and the meatiness. we're adding a little brown sugar, water, and the twist on this is a nice dark beer. brings in that caramelization and rich flavor. >> and all the alcohol is boiled out, so you don't have to worry about that. >> is this going in too? >> that goes in the last hour. the best thing about this, now crock pots are -- they're amazing because you can set it and forget it and there is a timer and it will shut itself off after eight hours. you can start this in the morning -- >> no stirring.

>> do not want to open the lid because if you open the lid if you keep peeking, it is going to cook longer and longer and longer. the last hour and a half you're going to add that. >> shouldn't let you. it should be on one of those things that won't let you pick it up. >> this will serve about eight and it costs -- it costs about $2 a serving. >> a person. >> 300 calories. >> so what are we making here? >> this is a beef shoulder. we're going to make a little spice rub of cayenne, paprika, salt, cumin, chili powder. we're going to mix it up. and you just -- >> it is a rub. >> you rub it on. if you want to rub, rub, rub. again, this is great because another -- >> like to rub. >> i do too. >> some stuff you don't like to do when you're cooking, it is fun to rub. >> you throw that in the crock pot. >> and just dump. >> you didn't rub that so great, but -- >> all right. >> we got all our flavors going on and now we're going to even

add more to get that barbecue pulled pork so we have molasses. >> that's that creole mustard. >> little cider vinegar. >> okay. >> brown sugar. >> i like brown sugar. >> i like how we don't have to do anything. >> i don't want you girls getting -- you look so lovely today. this is ketchup. this is our barbecue. a little water. this is a little hot sauce. >> okay. >> oh, yeah. >> and onions. >> and our onions. so, again, this is great. you just -- >> do you are to mix all those or just dump them in. >> the steam and it is all going to just come together. >> how long are we cooking this for? >> about eight hours. >> eight hours. >> are we going to eat? >> when you do the other one, don't forget to add this an hour before. >> have the kids put it in when they get home from school. let's start, this is lovely, so this is our brisket here. we'll slice up, i'll --

>> look like roast beef. is it the same concept? >> yes. you can do a pot roast. you can do so much. you can do soups. i mean, you can get crazy with your crock pot. >> get a fork for me. >> that's a good title for your next book. "get crazy with your crock pot". >> on top chef, he won a crock pot, that was one of my prizes. i use mine a lot. i love it. here's the pork, look at how easy this pulls apart. look at that. >> shouldn't need a knife. >> you don't. you don't. look, it just pulls apart. you can eat this on a sandwich, or you can eat it with -- we did beans, some dried beans. >> i like it with coleslaw. >> that's a nice, great -- >> have a bite of that. >> after the game, after it is -- >> thank you. >> thank you. >> that's delicious. >> and easy. so easy.

sara, everybody is still talking about the big awards show last night. >> a lot of people are putting their favorite moments involving taylor smith some in some way. dana wrote, hold my meat purse. classic. >> meat purse was -- that was a classic. >> did people like the awards or -- >> our fan base might not have liked them as much. people were a little disappointed this year, i think. that's what i'm see on here. >> i think they were a little raunchy. >> you were at the big event friday night with the fashion. i was sitting at home watching "it's a wonderful life." >> how was that? >> i had the best time of my life, popcorn "it's a wonderful life," jimmy stewart. old people love this sort of thing. it makes us happy. leave us alone. we have a right to be here too. >> coming up tomorrow, robert plante is going to be with us. >> he's older than i am. and actor justin long stops by.

nice to see him. have an awesome, fun day, everybody. tomorrow is booze day. something to look forward to. [ female announcer ] we know jerry brown was mayor of oakland,

but what were the results? fact: brown promised to improve schools. but the drop out rate increased 50%, and the state had to take over the schools. fact: the city controller found employees paid for 22,000 hours... they never worked. fact: brown promised to cut crime. but murders doubled, making oakland the 4th most dangerous city in america. jerry brown. he just can't deliver the results california needs now.